President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects the US and Canada, until Washington is 'fully compensated for everything' it has given to its northern neighbour. The bridge, spanning the Detroit River, is expected to open to traffic in early 2026, pending formal tests and approvals. However, Trump's demand for compensation has sparked controversy, as the bridge is being funded by the Canadian government but will be publicly owned by both Canada and Michigan. The project has been a point of contention between the countries for more than a decade, with an estimated cost of $6.4bn CAD. Trump's statement on his Truth Social platform suggests that the US should own 'at least one half of this asset' and that Canada owns both the Canadian and US sides of the bridge. The organisation developing the bridge, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, is wholly owned by the Canadian government. Trump's threat has raised questions about the potential impact on trade and economic relations between the two countries. The Ambassador Bridge, owned by the Moroun family, has also been a point of contention, with Trump and then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issuing a joint statement saying the bridge was a 'vital economic link' between the countries. Trump's recent trade disputes with Canada, including tariffs on dairy products, have further complicated the situation. The Canadian bridge authority, the Ontario premier's office, and the Detroit mayor's office have not yet responded to requests for comment.
