Trump Threatens to Keep Gordie Howe Closed Until Canada Shows “Respect”

Trump publicly stated on Truth Social that he would block the opening until the United States is “fully compensated” for what it has given Canada and until there is more “fairness and respect” in the relationship between the two countries. (Photo by WDBA)

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	Trump Threatens to Keep Gordie Howe Closed Until Canada Shows “Respect” Wendell Bryant - Automotive/Local/State Tell Us Detroit News Bureau DETROIT - Donald Trump has said he will not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open unless Canada agrees to new terms that give the United States fuller compensation and greater control over the crossing. He has framed the bridge as leverage in a broader confrontation with Canada over trade, tariffs, and the balance of the U.S.-Canada relationship. Trump publicly stated on Truth Social that he would block the opening until the United States is “fully compensated” for what it has given Canada and until there is more “fairness and respect” in the relationship between the two countries. A White House official later confirmed that Trump’s position had not changed and that the administration remained focused on securing the best possible deal for Americans. The bridge is a joint project between the state of Michigan and Canada, and Canada paid for the construction, but Trump has argued that the structure should include more U.S. ownership and more U.S.-built content. He has also suggested that the United States should own at least half of the bridge or share authority over it. The dispute has become part of a larger pressure campaign against Canada amid ongoing trade tensions. By tying the bridge opening to negotiations, Trump is using a major cross-border infrastructure project as leverage to seek concessions from Ottawa. Critics argue that this approach could harm traffic flow, disrupt supply chains, and damage jobs in the Detroit-Windsor region, which depends heavily on cross-border commerce. The planned opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge has already been delayed. Prime Minister Mark Carney initially said the bridge would open by the end of a particular week, despite resistance from the United States. Hours after the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority postponed a planned ribbon-cutting event, Carney said there were still a few outstanding issues that needed to be resolved. Local leaders on both sides of the border have warned that holding up the opening could create serious problems for commuters, freight traffic, and businesses that rely on the crossing. The bridge is expected to become a key trade route between the United States and Canada, and delays threaten to interrupt that flow at a time when both economies are already dealing with trade uncertainty. Trump’s stance has drawn criticism from some who say he is using a vital piece of infrastructure as a bargaining chip in a way that could hurt Americans as much as Canadians. Supporters of his approach argue that the United States should not let a major cross-border project proceed without securing a stronger economic and ownership position relative to Canada. The dispute has also raised questions about how the United States and Canada will manage other joint infrastructure projects in the future if one side can block an opening by demanding new terms. For now, the Gordie Howe International Bridge remains closed, with its opening delayed as negotiations and political pressure continue between Washington and Ottawa.