United States President Donald Trump has warned that he may block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking the US and Canada, escalating tensions with Ottawa over compensation claims and broader trade disagreements.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said the bridge would not be allowed to open unless Canada treats the United States with what he described as “fairness and respect” and ensures Washington is “fully compensated” for what he claimed the US has given to its northern neighbour.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects Windsor in Ontario, Canada, with Detroit, Michigan, across the Detroit River and is regarded as one of North America’s most strategic trade corridors. The bridge is expected to open to traffic in early 2026, subject to final testing and regulatory approvals.
Construction of the project began in 2018 after more than a decade of political disagreements and legal battles. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the bridge cost an estimated 6.4 billion Canadian dollars.
Trump disputed the ownership structure of the project, arguing that Canada effectively owns both sides of the bridge. While the project is funded by the Canadian government and overseen by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority — a body wholly owned by Canada — the bridge is to be publicly owned by Canada and the US state of Michigan.
“The United States should own at least one half of this asset,” Trump said, insisting that negotiations on the matter would begin immediately, although he did not clarify how such talks would be conducted.
It remains unclear how the US president could legally prevent the bridge from opening. As of the time of filing this report, the bridge authority, the office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the mayor’s office in Detroit had not issued official responses.
Trump also linked his threat to wider trade disputes with Canada, criticising tariffs imposed by Ottawa on US dairy products. He further attacked a recent trade agreement between Canada and China, warning that it would severely damage Canada’s economy.
In remarks that drew global attention, Trump claimed China would eliminate ice hockey in Canada and permanently end the Stanley Cup — comments widely interpreted as rhetorical rather than literal.
The Gordie Howe bridge has long been a contentious issue, particularly for the owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, a privately owned crossing between Detroit and Canada. During Trump’s first term, the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, lobbied him to halt construction of the new bridge, arguing that it threatened their toll revenues.
Despite the earlier controversy, Trump and then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously issued a joint statement describing the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a “vital economic link” between the two countries.
The latest comments, however, signal a renewed strain in US–Canada relations, with potential implications for cross-border trade flows that affect global supply chains, including those linked to Africa and emerging markets such as Nigeria.
