Trump's Ultimatum: Demands Ownership Stake in New Detroit-Canada Bridge

FILE - The Saginaw passes construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Oct. 25, 2023. Paul Sancya/AP

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump issued a bold ultimatum on Monday, threatening to impede the opening of a new bridge spanning the Detroit River unless Canada concedes at least half of its ownership. This demand comes amid escalating tensions over cross-border trade.

"We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset," Trump declared in a lengthy social media post. He expressed frustration that the United States would gain little from the bridge, criticizing Canada for not utilizing U.S. steel in its construction.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after a legendary Canadian hockey player who spent 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, is projected to open in early 2026, according to the project's official website. Initiated by former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, the project is funded by the Canadian government and aims to alleviate congestion at the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Construction has been ongoing since 2018.

Details on how Trump plans to block the bridge's opening remain vague, and inquiries directed at the White House for clarification went unanswered. Similarly, the Canadian Embassy in Washington did not respond promptly to requests for comment.

This threat from Trump surfaces as U.S.-Canada relations grow increasingly strained during his second term. The United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is under review this year, with Trump adopting a hardline stance ahead of negotiations, including issuing new tariff threats.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly condemned economic coercion from the United States on various international platforms.

Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, emphasized that the Canadian-funded project represents a significant advantage for her state’s economy. "You'll be able to move cargo from Montreal to Miami without ever stopping at a street light," Slotkin remarked to reporters.

"To shoot yourself in the foot and threaten the Gordie Howe Bridge means that this guy has completely lost the plot on what's good for us versus just what's spite against the Canadians," she added.

Despite Trump's aggressive rhetoric, Michigan has largely escaped the brunt of his second-term policies, which have targeted blue states with immigration raids and cuts to federal funding for infrastructure projects.

Interestingly, Trump and Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer have maintained an unexpectedly amicable relationship. The president praised her during an Oval Office visit last April, and they shared a hug last year before he announced a new fighter jet mission for an Air National Guard base in Michigan.

While Canada financed the bridge's construction, it will operate under a joint ownership agreement between Michigan and Canada, according to Stacey LaRouche, press secretary to Governor Whitmer.

"This is the busiest trade crossing in North America," LaRouche stated, highlighting that the bridge is beneficial for Michigan workers and its auto industry while exemplifying bipartisan and international cooperation.

"It's going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon-cutting," LaRouche affirmed.

Representative Shri Thanedar, a Democratic House member from Detroit, labeled Trump's threats as "crazy," asserting that such actions would harm business and job growth. "The bridge is going to help Michigan's economy. There's so much commerce between Michigan and Canada. They're one of our biggest partners," Thanedar noted.

Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor dismissed Trump's threats, expressing eagerness for the bridge's opening in the spring. "And I'll be there," Dingell stated confidently.

"That bridge is the biggest crossing in this country on the northern border. It's jobs. It's about protecting our economy. It was built with union jobs on both sides," Dingell emphasized. "It's going to open. Canada is our ally."