A view of the still-under-construction Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on February 5, 2025 | Image Credit: Reuters
US President Donald Trump on Monday (February 9, 2026) threatened to block the opening of a new $4.6 billion bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, in the latest salvo against Canada over trade issues. Mr. Trump cited Canada’s ownership of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, its refusal to stock certain US alcoholic beverages on Canadian store shelves, Canada’s tariffs on dairy products and its trade negotiations with China.
“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and most importantly, until Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect that we deserve,” Mr. Trump said on social media. “We will begin negotiations immediately. With all that we have given them, perhaps, we should have half of this asset.”
In 2012, Michigan’s then-governor Rick Snyder accepted a Canadian government offer to fund most of the costs of the new Gordie Howe Bridge and took the unusual step of using executive power to bypass the legislature. Construction began in 2018 and the bridge is nearing completion. The US Department of Homeland Security published a rule on January 30 declaring the bridge an authorized port of entry.
The Canadian embassy in Washington, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office and the bridge authority did not immediately comment.
Senator Elissa Slatkin, Michigan Democrat, said, “Repealing this plan would have serious consequences. Higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains and ultimately, fewer jobs.”
Mr. Trump is “punishing Michiganders for a trade war they started. The only reason Canada is on the brink of a trade deal with China is because President Trump has been kicking them in the teeth for a year.”
In 2023, Detroit will be the second largest port of US cargo by value and the largest on the US-Canada border, handling $126 billion worth of commercial trucks.
This bridge helps ease truck traffic, which is handled by the Ambassador Bridge. According to a University of Windsor study, the Gordie Howe Bridge would cut crossing times by 20 minutes, saving truckers $2.3 billion over 30 years.
Mr Trump has made several threats against Canada during his second term and sharply raised tariffs on the US’s northern neighbour. Last month, he said he would impose 100% tariffs on Canada if it followed through on a trade deal with China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to China in January to mend the countries’ strained relationship and reach a trade deal with Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the US.
Mr Trump said in January he would certify Bombardier Global Express business jets and threatened 50% import tariffs on all planes made in Canada until Ottawa certified several planes produced by US rival Gulfstream. The Trump administration has so far taken no action against Canadian airlines.
Published – February 10, 2026 at 06:20 am IST
