President Donald Trump warned on Monday, February 9, that he could halt the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, a key infrastructure that will connect Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario. The U.S. president noted that the United States should receive fair compensation for its involvement in this international project and emphasized the importance of protecting his country’s interests.
Thru his platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated and Canada treats us with fairness and respect. We will begin negotiations immediately”.
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Details of the Gordie Howe Bridge
The Gordie Howe Bridge represents one of the most important infrastructure projects between the United States and Canada, with an estimated cost of $4.7 billion and construction that began in 2018 over the Detroit River. Its opening is scheduled for this year and is expected to generate a significant economic impact, with astronomical revenues coming from commercial traffic between the two countries.
Trump highlighted that, due to the way the bridge was built, the United States should receive at least half of the asset and participate more directly in the economic benefits derived from the project.
Trade and diplomatic tensions between the United States and Canada
Since his return to the White House in 2025, Trump has had differences with Canada on trade and infrastructure, including threats to impose 100% tariffs following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China and preliminary negotiations with Beijing.
The U.S. president criticized exemptions granted by the previous administration, claiming that during Barack Obama’s term, Canada was able to build the bridge with virtually no U.S. content, circumventing the Buy American Act. According to Trump, this situation has limited the participation of American companies in the construction and supply of key materials, such as steel.
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Impact on commerce and sports
Trump also expressed his concern about China’s influence in Canada and its possible effect on sports competitions like the Stanley Cup in ice hockey, highlighting that the relationship between both countries and with the Asian country could affect the competition schedule.
Although Trump previously joked about the possibility of Canada becoming the “51st state of the United States,” he has currently set aside that proposal but maintains his firm position on negotiating U.S. participation in strategic border projects.
