Washington D.C.- The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge — set to become one of the most important transport links between the United States and Canada — has been pulled into fresh political turbulence.
US President Donald Trump has warned that the bridge will not open unless Washington is, in his words, “fully compensated for everything” it has provided to its northern neighbour, reigniting trade and infrastructure tensions between the two allies.
A Bridge at the Centre of a Political Standoff
The bridge, which spans the Detroit River and connects Ontario in Canada to Michigan in the US, is nearing completion and is expected to open to traffic in early 2026 after final safety tests and regulatory approvals.
However, Trump said the opening would be blocked unless Canada treats the United States with what he described as “fairness and respect.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, he argued that the US should own at least half of the bridge and suggested that Canada effectively controls both sides of the asset.
Project documents show the bridge is fully financed by the Canadian government, while ownership will be shared between Canada and the state of Michigan. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which is overseeing development, is wholly owned by Canada.
It remains unclear what legal or executive authority Trump could use to delay the opening, though he said negotiations would begin immediately.
Cost, Ownership and Old Grievances
Construction of the bridge began in 2018 after years of political and legal disputes. According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, the project is estimated to have cost about 6.4bn Canadian dollars (£3.4bn).
The bridge has long been controversial, particularly among the owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge — the Moroun family — who previously urged Trump during his first term to halt the project, arguing it threatened their toll revenues.
Despite those objections, Trump and then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once jointly described the new crossing as a “vital economic link” between the two countries.
Trade Tensions Resurface
In his latest comments, Trump tied the bridge dispute to broader trade frustrations, singling out Canadian dairy tariffs and criticising a recent trade deal between Canada and China.
He went on to mock the agreement in characteristic fashion, claiming China would “eat Canada alive” and joking that it would eliminate ice hockey and the Stanley Cup — remarks that appeared more rhetorical than literal.
Canadian officials, including Ontario’s premier’s office, the Detroit mayor’s office, and the bridge authority, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As the bridge edges closer to completion, Trump’s threat adds a new layer of uncertainty — turning a major infrastructure project into the latest flashpoint in an already delicate US–Canada relationship.
