By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to ban the new $4.6 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario from opening, in his latest salvo against Canada over trade issues.
Trump mentioned Canada’s ownership of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, its refusal to stock some US alcoholic beverages on Canadian store shelves, Canada’s tariffs on dairy products and its trade talks with China.
“I will not let this bridge open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect we deserve,” Trump said on social media. “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With everything we gave them, we should start, maybe, at least half of this asset.”
In 2012, then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder accepted a Canadian government offer to fund most of the costs of the new Gordie Howe bridge, taking the unusual step of using executive authority to bypass the legislature. Construction began in 2018 and the bridge is nearing completion.
The US Department of Homeland Security on January 30 published a rule declaring the bridge an official port of entry.
The Canadian Embassy in Washington, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office and the bridge authority did not immediately comment.
Senator Elissa Slotkin, Democrat of Michigan, said that “cancelling this project will have serious repercussions. Higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains, and ultimately, fewer jobs.”
She added that Trump is “punishing Michiganders for a trade war that he started. The only reason Canada is on the verge of a trade deal with China is because President Trump kicked them in the teeth for a year.”
In 2023, Detroit was the second-largest US cargo port by value and was the largest on the US-Canada border, handling $126 billion in value traded by commercial trucks.
The bridge will help ease truck traffic, which is handled by the Ambassador Bridge. The Gordie Howe Bridge will shave 20 minutes off crossing time, saving truckers $2.3 billion over 30 years, according to a University of Windsor study.
Trump made a number of threats against Canada in his second term and sharply increased tariffs on the northern neighbor of the United States. Last month, he said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it pursues a trade deal with China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to China in January to mend the countries’ strained relationship and reached a trade deal with Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.