Canadian political and business leaders have strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to delay or block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, warning that such a move would undermine shared economic interests and disrupt one of North America’s most vital trade corridors.

The nearly completed bridge, linking Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan, is set to become the third crossing at the Windsor–Detroit border, a corridor that handles around 25 percent of all trade between Canada and the United States. The route is particularly critical for the North American automotive supply chain, with parts and vehicles crossing the border multiple times during production.

Tensions escalated after Trump posted on social media accusing Canada of treating the United States “unfairly” on trade and claiming that the US should own “at least half” of the bridge. He threatened to block its opening unless compensation was paid and negotiations were reopened, marking a sharp shift from his earlier support for the project during his first term in office in 2017, when he described it as a vital economic link between the two countries.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens reacted sharply, accusing Trump of ignoring the mutual benefits of the project.
“This is truly astonishing,” Dilkens said. “When I read that post, I couldn’t believe it. This is yet another obstacle Donald Trump is placing in front of doing good things not only for our country, but for his own as well.”

Responding to Trump’s claim that no American materials were used in construction, Dilkens stressed that American steel was used on the US side of the project, rejecting accusations that the bridge excludes US industry.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also voiced strong opposition. President and CEO Candace Laing warned that blocking the bridge would amount to economic self-harm.
“Whether this is a real threat or simply an attempt to keep uncertainty high, blocking bridges or erecting barriers is a self-defeating move,” Laing said. “The way forward is not tearing down established trade corridors, but actually building bridges.”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is primarily financed by the Canadian federal government, with an estimated cost of 6.4 billion Canadian dollars (about 4.7 billion US dollars). Canada plans to recover the investment through future toll revenues, after which proceeds are expected to be shared with the state of Michigan.

International media, including Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera, have reported that Trump’s remarks have raised concerns about renewed trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa, particularly at a time when supply chains remain vulnerable. Analysts note that any disruption at the Windsor–Detroit crossing could have immediate economic consequences on both sides of the border, especially for manufacturing and logistics.

Canadian officials emphasize that the bridge was designed to ease congestion, strengthen supply chains, and enhance economic resilience for both countries. They warn that politicizing its opening risks damaging long-standing bilateral cooperation and could further strain Canada–US relations.

Despite the controversy, construction on the bridge is nearing completion, and Canadian authorities say preparations for opening are continuing. However, Trump’s statements have injected new uncertainty into a project long viewed as a symbol of cross-border partnership rather than political leverage. (ILKHA)