Trump Threatens to Block Opening of Canadian‑Financed Gordie Howe Detroit–Canada Bridge Over Trade Grievances
Donald Trump threatened on Truth Social to block the opening of the Canadian‑financed Gordie Howe International Bridge unless the U.S. "own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset," claiming it was built with "no U.S. content, such as steel." The $5.7 billion bridge — jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan and to be repaid with tolls — includes an 853‑meter main span, approach bridges, port‑of‑entry complexes and highway connections; Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Laing called blocking it "self‑defeating" and cited the project's 2017 U.S.‑Canada endorsement, while Michigan Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters warned that blocking the bridge would hurt Michigan’s economy, supply chains and jobs.
📌 Key Facts
- Former President Donald Trump threatened to block the opening of the Canadian‑financed Gordie Howe International Bridge over trade grievances, demanding the U.S. "own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset" and claiming the bridge was built with "no U.S. content, such as steel."
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge is jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan but was fully financed by Canada at $5.7 billion, with repayment planned through tolls.
- Project scope: the bridge includes an 853‑meter main span over the Detroit River, approach bridges, port‑of‑entry complexes on both sides and associated highway connections.
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Laing warned that "blocking or barricading bridges is a self‑defeating move" and pointed to the 2017 Trump‑era joint endorsement of the bridge as a "vital economic link."
- Michigan Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters said blocking the bridge would hurt Michigan’s economy, supply chains and jobs and would amount to "punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started."
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Direct quotation of Trump’s Truth Social demand that the U.S. 'own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset' and his claim the bridge was built with 'no U.S. content, such as steel.'
- On‑the‑record reaction from Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Candace Laing warning that 'blocking or barricading bridges is a self‑defeating move' and citing the 2017 Trump‑era joint endorsement of the bridge as a 'vital economic link.'
- Clarification that the Gordie Howe International Bridge is jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan, fully financed by Canada at $5.7 billion, with repayment planned through tolls.
- Detailed description of the project’s scope: an 853‑meter main span over the Detroit River, approach bridges, port‑of‑entry complexes on both sides, and highway connections.
- Fresh statements from Michigan Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters warning that blocking the bridge would hurt Michigan’s economy, supply chains and jobs and amount to 'punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started.'