Canada confirms opening of Gordie Howe Bridge, despite Trump’s threats

Published 9 June 2026 · politics

Trump had threatened to halt the opening of the cross-border bridge, which is jointly owned by Michigan and Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has

Trump had threatened to halt the opening of the cross-border bridge, which is jointly owned by Michigan and Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that the Gordie Howe International Bridge — a new si lane thoroughfare that will connect Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario — will open by the end of the week. The announcement comes despite threats to the contrary from United States President Donald Trump, who promised earlier this year that the bridge would not open without concessions from Canada. Speaking briefly to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Carney dodged questions about any behind-the-scenes negotiations with Trump. Instead, he focused on praising the bridge as a feat of cross-border collaboration. “It’s positive news. Obviously, the bridge will be open at the end of the week,” Carney said, calling the bridge a “symbol but also a fact of cooperation between” the US and Canada. “It’s great for Canadians going across the border, Americans coming across the border, and for commerce. And I just want to salute those who constructed it on both sides, and looking forward to getting it done.” But the bridge’s fate was thrown into doubt in February, after Trump published a social media message framing the construction as a means of exploiting the US.

His remarks echoed criticisms raised by the Moroun family, who own the nearby Ambassador Bridge, another artery connecting the US and Canada. The family has denounced the Gordie Howe Bridge as unfair competition, and it has sued to stop the project. It also led an campaign during Trump’s first term to kill the bridge, framing the structure as un-American. Unlike the Ambassador Bridge, which is privately held, the Gordie Howe Bridge is slated to be co-owned by the governments of Canada and Michigan. In February’s social media post, however, Trump falsely depicted the construction project as a Canadian-only enterprise. “Imagine, Canada is building a massive bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They own both the Canada and the United States side,” Trump wrote. “Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get — Absolutely NOTHING!” Trump proceeded to threaten to block the completion of the bridge, which was in its final stages. He added that Canada should give the US government “at least one half of this asset”. “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,” Trump said.