President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he might block the opening of a new bridge linking the United States and Canada, expressing frustration with Canada over various economic matters as tensions between Washington and Ottawa grow.
Trump mentioned he would “not allow” the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a 1.5-mile span connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, to open in a post on Truth Social Monday. Major construction has been finished, and it’s anticipated to be operational this year after some testing.
“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. We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY,” the president wrote.
It’s unclear how Trump plans to stop the bridge’s opening. CNN has reached out to the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority for their comments.
Trump also wrongly claimed that Canada “own(s) both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built it with virtually no US content.”
The over $4 billion bridge, named after famed Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, is being entirely funded by Ottawa but will be co-owned by both Canada’s government and Michigan state according to a 2012 agreement detailing its terms.
The agreement also states that any iron or steel used in its building must come from either the US or Canada without favoring one country over another.
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