Before Trump Blasted U.S.-Canada Bridge, Owner of Competing Span Lobbied Administration

Detroit billionaire Matthew Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge connecting Michigan and Canada, met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hours before President Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a competing span. The meeting occurred on Monday in Washington, D.C., and Lutnick reportedly spoke with Trump about the matter afterward. Trump's threat to block the new bridge, fully funded by Canada but co-owned by Michigan, came amidst strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, including trade disputes and questioning of Canadian sovereignty. The Gordie Howe bridge is intended to ease congestion in the busiest trade corridor between the two countries, but the Moroun family has long opposed the project, fearing it will reduce toll revenue from their bridge.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, expected to open this year, is facing opposition from former President Trump. Trump threatened to block the bridge's opening, citing trade grievances with Canada, including its relationship with China. The bridge, fully funded by Canada but co-owned with Michigan, aims to ease congestion in a busy trade corridor. Matthew Moroun, a Detroit billionaire whose family owns a nearby bridge, has long opposed the project. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the bridge with Trump, emphasizing its cooperative nature and Canada's funding. The situation raises concerns about future negotiations regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Mark Carney clarified to Donald Trump that Canada funded the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a key infrastructure project linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, after Trump threatened to block its opening. Trump falsely claimed the $4.6 billion bridge, slated to open in early 2026, contained minimal U.S. content. Carney reminded Trump that the U.S. shares ownership of the bridge, emphasizing their prior "positive" conversation. The exchange occurred after Trump ranted against the bridge and warned China would negatively impact Canadian hockey. The bridge is intended to improve trade and transportation between the two countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed concerns raised by Donald Trump regarding the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a US$4.7 billion project connecting Ontario, Canada, and Michigan, USA. Trump demanded the U.S. own at least half of the bridge, despite Canada fully financing its construction because the U.S. declined to do so. The bridge, named after Gordie Howe, is scheduled to open this year, with costs to be recouped through tolls over 30 years. Trump threatened to block the bridge's opening, citing Canada's financing, trade practices, and tariffs. Carney assured that the issues raised by Trump would be resolved.

Donald Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a $4.6 billion project connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. This threat comes as Democrats prepare to vote on Trump's tariffs on Canada. Trump falsely claimed Canada has treated the U.S. unfairly for decades and that increased trade between Canada and China would ban Canadians from playing ice hockey. He blamed Barack Obama for approving the bridge, despite having endorsed it himself in 2017. Construction on the bridge began in 2018 and is nearing completion, with the U.S. Homeland Security Department recently designating it as an official port of entry. Trump's anger appears to stem from Canada's closer trade relationship with China.

Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a US-Canada link slated to open in 2026, until the US is "fully compensated" for its contributions to Canada. The bridge, connecting Ontario and Michigan, is funded by the Canadian government but will be jointly owned by Canada and Michigan. Trump stated on social media that he believes the US should own at least half of the asset, citing trade disputes and dairy tariffs as reasons for his stance. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, developing the bridge, is wholly owned by the Canadian government. Trump's threat comes after previous appeals from the owners of the Ambassador Bridge to halt construction of the Gordie Howe bridge.