Ontario’s premier is encouraging Canadians and the prime minister to “not buckle” in response to Donald Trump’s threats about preventing the Gordie Howe bridge from opening.
“This isn’t the time to roll over and let President Trump take advantage of us,” Doug Ford stated Tuesday morning while discussing the threat.
“Why did he [Trump] fast-track it [the bridge] in 2017?” he asked.
“This was all agreed upon, and it’s going to boost both the American economy and the Canadian economy.”
“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 wrote in a post on Monday.
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The Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit to Windsor Ontario Canada is under construction in Detroit, Mich., U. S. Feb. 10, 2026. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)
Ford argues that Trump’s assertion that the international bridge has “virtually no U. S. content” is incorrect – pointing out that 25 percent of American-made concrete is being used for the bridge and its connecting interstate.
“This isn’t the time to roll over and let President Trump take advantage of us. We want a strong relationship with our closest friend and ally.”
The concept for an additional southwestern Ontario crossing originated back in the early 2000s.
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A file photo view of the still-under-construction Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Feb. 5, 2025. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)
After several rounds of studies, challenges, and reviews, an agreement was finalized in 2012 between Canada and Michigan. Then six years later, work finally began.
Canadian taxpayers are covering all $6.4 billion of costs upfront. The goal is to recover that money through tolls once it opens. After that, revenue from tolls would be shared with Michigan.
This new span will be located west of two existing crossings along the Detroit River connecting Windsor and Detroit: the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel-both of which lead traffic directly onto Windsor streets.
The new route will help divert traffic away from busier areas and directly link Highway 401 with I-75 in Michigan.
The opening has faced multiple delays – most recently pushed from fall 2025 to early 2026. In summer 2025, Windsor West MP Harb Gill stated that residents deserved clarity on when it would open calling it a “vital economic lifeline for Windsor and Canada.”
“You’re not punishing Canada; you’re affecting Michigan-this impacts Ohio as well as Indiana and Illinois,” he added.
Blanchard mentioned plans for an opening celebration around late March or early April.
Li UNA posted on social media Tuesday stating that this crossing wasn’t designed to give one country an advantage over another.
They emphasized how Canada took on upfront expenses for mutual benefit across both sides of Detroit River.
“Cross-border infrastructure isn’t exploitation,” they said.
“It represents a shared investment intended not only reduce congestion but also enhance competitiveness within industries reliant upon Great Lakes trade corridor.”
“Inflammatory rhetoric may score cheap political points but won’t help build infrastructure protect jobs or fortify our collective economic future,” their post concluded.
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Former governor, ambassador calls threats ‘nonsense’
James Blanchard is a former Michigan governor as well as a United States ambassador to Canada. He claims that this bridge serves as “a vital link between the U. S. and Canada, as well as Michigan and Ontario.” “It’s essential for industries like automotive manufacturing, agriculture, tourism. It employed thousands of skilled workers on both sides of our border. It will create many more jobs.. And it’s just foolish for Mr. Trump to attempt blocking it.”..“You’re not punishing Canada; you’re affecting Michigan-this impacts Ohio as well as Indiana and Illinois,” he added.
Blanchard mentioned plans for an opening celebration around late March or early April.
Union calls Trump’s remarks ‘inflammatory rhetoric’
A union representing skilled labourers involved with building this span expressed disappointment regarding Trump’s comments about this project.Li UNA posted on social media Tuesday stating that this crossing wasn’t designed to give one country an advantage over another.
They emphasized how Canada took on upfront expenses for mutual benefit across both sides of Detroit River.
“Cross-border infrastructure isn’t exploitation,” they said.
“It represents a shared investment intended not only reduce congestion but also enhance competitiveness within industries reliant upon Great Lakes trade corridor.”
“Inflammatory rhetoric may score cheap political points but won’t help build infrastructure protect jobs or fortify our collective economic future,” their post concluded.
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