Trump Threatens to Block US-Canada Bridge Opening

President Trump threatens to block the opening of the new US-Canada Gordie Howe Bridge, demanding Canada fully compensates and treats the US with "Fairness."

President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the nearly completed Gordie Howe International Bridge, a critical new border crossing between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. In a social media post, the President declared the bridge would not open until Canada "treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve" and Washington is "fully compensated for everything" it has provided to its neighbor.

The $5.7 billion infrastructure project, largely funded by the Canadian government and set to be publicly owned by both Michigan and Canada, is a flagship binational effort to modernize trade corridors. It is seen as vital for easing congestion at the Ambassador Bridge and supporting billions in annual cross-border commerce. Trump's threat, however, casts immediate uncertainty over its operational timeline, slated for late 2026.

The President did not specify what compensation he seeks nor clarify the legal mechanism to block an opening, but stated "negotiations will begin immediately." Analysts suggest the move may be a negotiating tactic linked to broader, unresolved trade disputes or a political signal ahead of the midterm elections. The Canadian government has so far responded cautiously, reiterating the project's mutual benefit and its status as a binational asset.

Legal experts are divided on presidential authority in this case, as the crossing involves state (Michigan) and federal interests and is built on an existing international treaty framework. Michigan's Governor’s statement has voiced strong opposition to any delay, emphasizing the bridge's importance to state and national economic security.

The threat introduces a new point of friction in US-Canada relations and risks disrupting supply chains that rely on predictable border infrastructure. Stakeholders on both sides are urging a swift diplomatic resolution to prevent economic fallout.