The U. S. and Canada have come to a deal that will finally allow the long-awaited opening of a $4.7 billion bridge linking Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, as announced by the Canadian government late Friday.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which was initially supposed to open on June 27, is now set to welcome traffic on July 27 following an agreement regarding toll revenue between the two nations.
President Trump had previously indicated he would block the opening of the 1.5-mile bridge unless the U. S. received financial compensation and a share in ownership.
“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 earlier this year on Truth Social.
After several rounds of talks with Canadian officials, Trump claimed on Saturday that he had secured a “much better deal” concerning the bridge.
“I was able to cut a MUCH BETTER DEAL for America, and by so doing, will be allowing the new and spectacular Gordie Howe International Bridge, spanning Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, to open on July 27th, as scheduled,” he wrote.
“The original deal made was unacceptable to me!” he wrote online. “The new deal is great, and fair. Thank you and congratulations to the Canadian Government. May we both have many years of success with this wonderful new development!!!”
Canada stated it agreed to implement various measures between both countries to “ensure that benefits are felt on both sides of the border.”
“Canada and the United States have agreed to a series of cooperative measures focused on toll governance and transparency, as well as investments in the region, including through the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations,” said a statement from the Canadian government on Friday.
According to Reuters, under this agreement, half of all toll revenue will go to the U. S., along with approval rights over any toll increases exceeding 10 percent from current rates.
This agreement was finalized between Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Dominic Le Blanc, Canada’s minister responsible for U. S. trade as reported by news agencies.
The bridge honors legendary Detroit Red Wings hockey player Gordie Howe and is expected to serve as an essential commercial link between both countries. Construction started in 2018 with funding coming from Canada.
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