Trump threatens to block opening of Windsor-Detroit bridge

Trump takes aim at bridge

Photo: The Canadian Press

The Saginaw passes construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting on the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening not to allow a new bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., to open, arguing that the United States should first be compensated.

Trump said in a social media post Monday that the U.S. will "immediately" start negotiations over the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is set to open early this year after delays.

He said the U.S. should own "at least one half of this asset."

In his post, Trump said Canada has treated the United States "very unfairly" for decades.

He said Canada owns both the Canadian and American sides of the bridge, which he said was built with "virtually no U.S. content."

His post also included claims in regards to the trade deal between Canada and China, with Trump saying China will "eat Canada alive."

"The first thing Canada will do is terminate ALL ice hockey in Canada and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup," Trump said.

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The Government of Canada website says it's funding the entire project, which will be publicly owned by both Canada and Michigan.

The project is expected to cost $6.4 billion, up from the original $5.7 billion.

'A self-defeating move'

Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce said in a statement that "blocking or barricading bridges is a self-defeating move."

Laing said the Trump administration was right in 2017 in its joint statement that endorsed the bridge as a priority project. She added that modern border infrastructure strengthens shared economic security.

"Through decades of collaboration, Canada and the United States build things together, create jobs together and compete globally together," said Laing. "The path forward isn’t deconstructing established trade corridors, it’s actually building bridges."

Stacey LaRouche, press secretary to Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, said the Gordie Howe International Bridge is "all about jobs."

"It's good for Michigan workers and it's good for Michigan's auto industry," said LaRouche, noting that the construction of the bridge was financed by Canada and that it was built by union construction workers from both sides of the border. "This project has been a tremendous example of bipartisan and international cooperation."

"It's going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon cutting."

In 2012, former prime minister Stephen Harper announced the construction of the bridge, and it was later announced it would be named after the hockey legend who starred for the Detroit Red Wings. Construction on the bridge began in 2018.

The Government of Canada website says the project will provide an additional crossing option at "one of the busiest Canada-U.S. commercial border crossings."

It says many permanent jobs will be created for the operation and maintenance of the bridge and Ports of Entry once open. It also says the bridge will provide "the capacity to increase trade and encourage investment between Canada and the U.S., supporting the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world."

Former Canadian governor general Michaëlle Jean and her husband, filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond, created a documentary looking at the construction of the bridge as a symbol of historical, economic and cultural connections between Windsor and Detroit.

Drew Dilkens, mayor of the City of Windsor, said on social media in June that Windsor is an international gateway between Canada and the U.S., and that the new bridge will be "another strong link within our storied 'Two-Nation Destination.'"