The US president has demanded ownership of “at least half” of the Ontario-Michigan border crossing
President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a major new bridge connecting Canada and the United States unless Washington receives compensation and a partial ownership stake in the project.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Monday that he would not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge — which connects Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan — to open until the United States is closed. “fully compensated” and Canada is treating the US with what he described “honesty and respect.”
“With everything we have given them, we should perhaps own at least half of this asset. The revenue generated from the US market will be astronomical,” he wrote.
Trump accused Canada of benefiting disproportionately from the project and claimed it was built with it “virtually no American content” and alleged that a waiver issued under former President Barack Obama allowed Canada to sidestep Buy American requirements. He also reiterated long-standing grievances over Canadian dairy tariffs, provincial restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales and Ottawa’s assistance to China.
The new six-lane intersection is expected to open early this year after final tests and inspections, and will become one of the busiest trade links between the two countries. The bridge, which began construction in 2018, is expected to cost about $6.4 billion, up from an original estimate of $5.7 billion.
According to the Canadian government, the bridge is fully funded by Ottawa, but will be publicly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said parts of the US president’s post were “just insane”, and emphasized that American steel was used on the Michigan side of the project.
Trump endorsed the bridge during his first term and called it a ‘essential economic link’ despite lobbying from the owners of the Ambassador Bridge, who have long opposed the project.
The new threat comes amid broader tensions in US-Canada relations. In recent weeks, Trump has also warned of high tariffs on Canadian-made planes and proposed punitive measures if Ottawa deepens trade ties with Beijing.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected claims that Canada is pursuing a free trade deal with China and urged Washington to respect Canadian sovereignty.
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