Trump Threatens to End US-Canada Bridge02/10 06:09

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to block the 
opening of a new Canadian-built bridge across the Detroit River, demanding that 
Canada turn over at least half of the ownership of the bridge and agree to 
other unspecified demands in his latest salvo over cross-border trade issues.

   "We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, 
we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset," Trump said in a 
lengthy social media post, complaining that the United States would get nothing 
from the bridge and that Canada did not use U.S. steel to built it.

   The Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after a Canadian hockey star who 
played for the Detroit Red Wings for 25 seasons, had been expected to open in 
early 2026, according to information on the project's website. The project was 
negotiated by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder -- a Republican -- and paid for 
by the Canadian government to help ease congestion over the existing Ambassador 
Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Work has been underway since 2018.

   It's unclear how Trump would seek to block the bridge from being opened, and 
the White House did not immediately return a request for comment on more 
details. The Canadian Embassy in Washington also did not immediately return a 
request for comment.

   Trump's threat comes as the relationship between the U.S. and Canada 
increasingly sours during the U.S. president's second term. The United 
States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is up for review this year, and Trump has 
been taking a hard-line position ahead of those talks, including by issuing new 
tariff threats.

   Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, meanwhile, has spoken out on the world 
stage against economic coercion by the United States.

   Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said the Canadian-funded project is a "huge 
boon" to her state and its economic future. "You'll be able to move cargo from 
Montreal to Miami without ever stopping at a street light," Slotkin told The 
Associated Press.

   "So to shoot yourself in the foot and threaten the Gordie Howe Bridge means 
that this guy has completely lost the plot on what's good for us versus just 
what's spite against the Canadians," Slotkin said.

   Michigan, a swing state that Trump carried in both 2016 and 2024, has so far 
largely avoided the brunt of his second-term crackdown, which has targeted blue 
states with aggressive immigration raids and cuts to federal funding for major 
infrastructure projects.

   Trump and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have also maintained an unusually 
cordial relationship, with the president publicly praising her during an Oval 
Office appearance last April. The two also shared a hug last year ahead of 
Trump's announcement of a new fighter jet mission for an Air National Guard 
base in Michigan.

   While Canada paid for the project, the bridge will be operated under a joint 
ownership agreement between Michigan and Canada, said Stacey LaRouche, press 
secretary to Whitmer.

   "This is the busiest trade crossing in North America," LaRouche said, saying 
the bridge was "good for Michigan workers and it's good for Michigan's auto 
industry" as well as being a good example of bipartisan and international 
cooperation.

   "It's going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to 
attending the ribbon-cutting," LaRouche said.

   Rep. Shri Thanedar, the Democratic House representative of Detroit, said 
blocking the bridge would be "crazy" and said Trump's attacks on Canada weren't 
good for business or jobs. "The bridge is going to help Michigan's economy. 
There's so much commerce between Michigan and Canada. They're one of our 
biggest partners," Thanedar said.

   Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor brushed aside the president's 
threat, saying she's looking forward to the bridge's opening later in the 
spring. "And I'll be there," Dingell said.

   "That bridge is the biggest crossing in this country on the northern border. 
It's jobs. It's about protecting our economy. It was built with union jobs on 
both sides," said Dingell. "It's going to open. Canada is our ally."