Washington/Toronto (Rajeev Sharma)— U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting the United States and Canada may not be allowed to open unless Washington receives compensation and a significant ownership share in the project.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the United States would begin immediate negotiations with Canada over the cross-border infrastructure project, alleging that the country had treated the U.S. unfairly for decades. He asserted that the new bridge between Michigan and Ontario would not open unless the United States was adequately compensated and possibly granted at least a 50 per cent stake.
The Gordie Howe Bridge is a major trade and transportation project nearing completion. The six-lane structure spans the Detroit River and will directly connect Interstate 75 in Michigan with Highway 401 in Ontario, one of North America’s busiest trade corridors.
The project was largely financed by the Canadian government after Michigan agreed in 2012 to a funding arrangement that allowed construction to move forward without approval from the state legislature. Work began in 2018 after years of delays.
Designed to reduce congestion at existing border crossings, the bridge is expected to cut travel time by about 20 minutes. A study by the University of Windsor estimates the improved efficiency could save the trucking industry roughly $2.3 billion over the next three decades.
Trump criticised the project’s construction, claiming it included minimal American participation. He also accused former president Barack Obama of granting Canada a waiver from the Buy American Act during the earlier stages of the project.
In addition to the bridge dispute, Trump raised broader trade concerns with Canada, including longstanding complaints about Canadian dairy tariffs, which he said have negatively affected American farmers.
The U.S. president also issued a warning over Canada’s economic engagement with China, alleging that closer ties between Ottawa and Beijing could harm Canadian interests. He suggested the United States could respond with steep tariffs if Canada pursued a comprehensive trade agreement with China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected such claims, stating that Canada is not pursuing a full free trade deal with China and that recent engagements with Beijing have been limited in scope.
The Gordie Howe Bridge is considered a critical infrastructure project for cross-border trade between the two countries, and any delay in its opening could have significant economic implications for both sides.
