Canadian officials and business leaders have sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent threat to block the opening of the nearly completed Gordie Howe International Bridge, a critical trade artery connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The bridge, set to open this year, handles 25% of bilateral trade between the two nations and supports North America's automotive supply chains.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens called Trump's demand for 50% ownership of the CA$6.4 billion ($4.7 billion) project "insane," emphasizing its importance to both countries. The Canadian federal government has funded the majority of construction costs, with plans to recoup investments through toll revenues shared with Michigan post-recovery.
Trump claimed on social media that Canada treated the U.S. "unfairly" and insisted on renegotiating terms, despite American steel being used in the U.S. portion of the bridge. Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Laing warned blocking the bridge would be "self-defeating," stressing the need to strengthen trade infrastructure rather than disrupt it.
The dispute contrasts with Trump's 2017 joint statement with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which praised the project as a "vital economic link." Analysts suggest the rhetoric could impact cross-border trade confidence ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.
