Donald Trump threatens to block US-Canada bridge opening: Here’s how the move could hit jobs, trade and costs for consumers

President Donald Trump has threatened to prevent the opening of a major bridge connecting the United States and Canada unless Washington is “fully compensated for everything” it has provided to its northern neighbour. The warning was issued in a social media post, where Trump said the project would not move forward until Canada treats the United States with what he described as “Fairness and Respect.”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge links the Canadian province of Ontario with the US state of Michigan. Trump said Ottawa should not be allowed to open the bridge under the current terms, adding that negotiations would begin immediately. He did not explain how such negotiations would work or how the opening could be legally blocked.

According to the bridge project’s official website, construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is being funded by the Canadian government. However, the bridge is set to be publicly owned by both Canada and the state of Michigan.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States should own “at least one half of this asset.” He also suggested that Canada owns both the Canadian and American sides of the bridge.

The organisation overseeing the project, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, is wholly owned by the Canadian government, according to the project’s website.

Trump wrote that the Canadian government expects the United States to allow Canada to “take advantage of America,” adding that he would not permit the bridge to open until compensation demands were met.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, criticised Trump’s threat, calling the bridge an “incredibly important infrastructure project” for the state. She warned that blocking its opening would have serious economic consequences.

In a post on X, Slotkin said delaying the bridge could result in higher costs for Michigan businesses, weaker supply chains, and fewer jobs. She added that Canada is an ally, not an adversary, and said she would work to ensure the project moves forward.

Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer also pushed back against Trump’s position. Her press secretary, Stacey LaRouche, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that the bridge project has been a strong example of bipartisan and international cooperation and is beneficial for jobs in Michigan.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge spans the Detroit River and is expected to open to traffic once formal testing and regulatory approvals are completed in the early part of this year. Construction began in 2018, though the project has been a source of disagreement between the two countries for more than a decade.

According to the CBC, the bridge is estimated to have cost 6.4 billion Canadian dollars, or approximately £3.4 billion.

Trump also blamed former President Barack Obama for allowing construction to proceed without the use of US steel. However, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens rejected that claim, telling the CBC that the accusation was incorrect.

“It’s just insane,” Dilkens said. “I really can’t believe what I’m reading.”

Trump linked his threat to broader trade disagreements with Canada, saying tariffs imposed by Canada on US dairy products have been unacceptable for years. He also criticised a trade deal signed between Canada and China last month, claiming it would severely harm Canada.

In a further comment, Trump said China would terminate all ice hockey played in Canada and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup.

Slotkin responded by saying Canada’s pursuit of a trade agreement with China was driven by Trump’s treatment of the country over the past year.

At the time of reporting, Canada’s bridge authority, the Ontario premier’s office, and the Detroit mayor’s office had not responded to requests for comment.