Trump threatens to block the opening of a bridge between Ontario and Michigan in ongoing spat with Canada

• President Donald Trump threatens to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which connects Ontario to Michigan.
• Tensions rose as Trump demanded that the US own half of the new Canada-US bridge.
• Trump has been threatening to hike tariffs on Canadian goods and aircraft.

President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a long-awaited new border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said he would not allow the bridge to open until the US is "fully compensated for everything we have given them," adding that Canada must treat the United States with what he described as "fairness and respect."

"We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset," Trump added.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to be completed in early 2026 and has been under construction since 2018. The $6.4 billion project is entirely funded by Canada's Federal government, and will feature six lanes and a pedestrian and cycling path.

The University of Windsor's Cross-Border Institute estimated in a 2021 study that the new route will save about 850,000 hours a year for trucks, which would mean billions of dollars in savings over the bridge's lifetime. The study also found that the Windsor-Detroit corridor is the largest pathway for trade between the US and Canada.

Trump's remarks mark the latest escalation in tensions with Canada, a key US trading partner, as the president steps up his criticism of the country.

In recent weeks, Trump has threatened to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Ottawa moves forward with a trade deal with China.

He also bristled at comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which were widely seen as an implicit rebuke of Trump's foreign and economic policies. In January, Trump also warned that he could impose a 50% tariff on aircraft manufactured in Canada and revoke certification for newly produced planes.

Sen. Gary Peters, of Michigan, called Trump's statement "completely backwards" in a post on X.

"We've wanted this bridge for years because it will be a boon for our economy," said Peters. "This is another case of the President undermining Michigan businesses and workers."

The White House and the Ontario Premier's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.