In a bold move that could stall a $4.6 billion project, the U.S. president announced that the new bridge linking Detroit with Windsor, Ontario would not open until Washington felt fully compensated for a series of trade grievances.
The president cited Canada’s refusal to stock certain U.S. alcoholic beverages, tariffs on dairy products, and the country’s ongoing trade negotiations with China as key reasons for the delay. He said that Canada must treat the United States with the “fairness and respect” he expects.
“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect that we deserve,” he posted on social media. “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset.”
The bridge, which began construction in 2018, is now nearly finished. In 2012, Michigan’s governor accepted a Canadian offer to fund most of the cost, using executive authority to bypass the state legislature—a rare move that kept the project moving forward.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security formally declared the bridge a port of entry, a step that could have accelerated its opening had the political climate been different.
Responses from the Canadian Embassy in Washington, Michigan’s governor’s office, and the bridge authority were not immediately forthcoming, leaving the situation in limbo.
Senator Elissa Slotkin warned that canceling the project would hurt Michigan’s economy, citing higher costs for businesses, less secure supply chains, and fewer jobs. She added that the president’s actions were punishing Michiganders for a trade war he began, and that Canada’s willingness to negotiate with China stemmed from his aggressive stance.
Detroit already ranks as the second‑largest U.S. freight port by value, and the largest on the U.S.–Canada border, handling $126 billion worth of goods. The new bridge is expected to cut crossing time by 20 minutes, saving truckers an estimated $2.3 billion over 30 years, according to a study by the University of Windsor.
Earlier this year, the president threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if the country entered a trade deal with China, and he also announced plans to decertify Bombardier Global Express jets and impose a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft until certain U.S. rival planes received certification. Despite these threats, no action has yet been taken against Canadian aircraft.
Meanwhile, Canada’s prime minister visited China in January to reset a strained relationship and secured a trade agreement with the country’s second‑largest trading partner, all while the U.S. remains wary of Canada’s new ties.
