Trump Vows to Block US-Canada Bridge Until Compensation is Received

Wed Feb 11 2026 02:43:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump threatens to prevent the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between the US and Canada unless Washington is compensated for its support to Canada.

Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that he will block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which links Michigan and Ontario, until the US government is fully compensated for previous assistance to Canada. The bridge, scheduled to open in early 2026, has been a source of tension between the two nations, with Trump demanding that the Canadian government treat the US with fairness and respect. This latest statement comes amid ongoing trade disputes and negotiations between the countries, raising questions about the future of this important infrastructure project.

Former President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a bridge connecting the US and Canada until Washington is fully compensated for everything it has given to its northern neighbor.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will link Ontario, Canada, with Michigan, USA, won't open until Ottawa treats the United States with Fairness and Respect that we deserve, Trump stated on social media.

The project's website indicates that while the construction of the bridge is being financed by the Canadian government, it will be publicly owned by both Michigan and Canada.

However, it remains unclear how Trump could stop the bridge's opening, but he mentioned that negotiations would be initiated immediately, offering little detail.

The bridge spans the Detroit River and is expected to facilitate traffic once formal tests and approvals are completed, projected for early 2026. This construction began in 2018 but has been a contentious issue for more than a decade.

The estimated cost of the bridge is approximately $6.4 billion CAD (about £3.4 billion), as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In his statements on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the US should have ownership of at least one half of this asset, suggesting that Canada owns both sides of the bridge.

Trump remarked, The Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just 'take advantage of America! and vowed not to allow the bridge's opening until the US is compensated for all assistance provided.

The American Moroun family, who owns the nearby Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit to Canada, previously asked Trump during his first term to halt construction of the new bridge, claiming it would impact their toll collection exclusivity.

In a joint statement with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump had acknowledged the new bridge as a vital economic link between the two nations.

Recent trade disputes have spurred Trump's dissatisfaction, particularly regarding tariffs Canada imposes on American dairy products. He also mentioned concerns over a recent trade deal between Canada and China.

Requests for comments from Canada's bridge authority, the Ontario premier's office, and the Detroit mayor's office have gone unanswered.