US President Trump vows to halt Detroit-Canada border crossing project

US President Donald Trump has issued a statement expressing concerns over the upcoming opening of the $4.6 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, to Windsor, Ontario. The bridge is expected to open in early 2026 and was negotiated by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

According to Trump’s social media post, he intends to block the bridge’s opening unless Canada agrees to transfer ownership of at least half of the asset and meets unspecified conditions. He stated that the US should be compensated for its contributions to the project and that Canada should treat the US with fairness and respect.

The US Department of Homeland Security has designated the bridge as an official port of entry, while a University of Windsor study suggests that the Gordie Howe Bridge could reduce crossing times by up to 20 minutes, saving truckers approximately $2.3 billion over 30 years.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin warned that cancelling the project would have significant economic consequences, including higher costs for Michigan businesses and less secure supply chains. Trump has made several threats targeting Canada during his second term, including increasing tariffs on US imports from its northern neighbor.

The bridge’s construction began in 2018 and was financed by the Canadian government. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is designed to alleviate heavy truck traffic currently handled by the Ambassador Bridge.

Source: Al Jazeera