President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Canada by threatening to block the opening of the nearly complete Gordie Howe International Bridge unless Ottawa agrees to immediate trade negotiations and provides what he calls “full compensation” to the United States.
The $4.7 billion crossing, which links Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario, is one of North America’s most significant new infrastructure projects. Largely financed by the Canadian government, it is designed to relieve chronic congestion at a critical trade corridor, streamline supply chains, and deliver major economic gains through toll collections over the coming decades.
In a recent Truth Social post, Trump asserted that Canada has long treated the U.S. unfairly and insisted the bridge, despite being predominantly Canadian-funded—should remain closed until the United States receives compensation for prior support and secures at least partial ownership. He demanded “fairness and respect” and stated that talks must begin without delay.
Trump pointed to several persistent irritants in the relationship, including Canada’s protective tariffs on U.S. dairy products, limits on American alcohol sales in Canadian provinces, and Ottawa’s ongoing trade discussions with China. He has previously threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian imports if Canada deepens economic ties with Beijing.
The Gordie Howe project has been in development for over a decade. In 2012, Michigan’s then-Governor accepted Canada’s offer to cover most of the costs after U.S. federal funding failed to materialize. Construction launched in 2018, and the bridge is now in final testing, with an anticipated opening in early 2026. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security officially designated it a port of entry earlier this year.
Trump’s threat has provoked strong opposition from regional leaders. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and others stress that the bridge—constructed by union workers from both countries under a bilateral agreement—is essential to the local economy. Delaying or blocking its opening could raise costs for businesses, disrupt critical supply chains, and put jobs at risk in a region heavily reliant on cross-border commerce. In 2023, Detroit ranked as the second-busiest U.S. freight port by value, moving $126 billion in trade. The new bridge is expected to reduce crossing times by roughly 20 minutes and save the trucking industry billions over the long term.
What began as a landmark symbol of U.S.-Canada cooperation has now become a high-stakes bargaining chip in a deteriorating bilateral relationship, carrying serious implications for trade, diplomacy, and the economies of both nations.
