American President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a bridge connecting the USA and Canada until Washington is „fully compensated for everything” it has provided to its northern neighbor.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking the Canadian province of Ontario with the American state of Michigan, will not open until Ottawa „treats the United States with the fairness and respect we deserve,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It is not clear how Trump could block the opening of the bridge, but he said that negotiations will start immediately, without providing details, as reported by BBC.
According to the project's website, the bridge is funded by the government in Ottawa but will become public property of both Canada and the American state of Michigan.
Terrible Effects in Canada
Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic senator from Michigan, stated that closing the "incredibly important infrastructure project" would be "dreadful" for the economy of the American state she represents.
"The action could have serious repercussions. Higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains, and ultimately, fewer jobs," she pointed out in a post on X.
The bridge, spanning the Detroit River, is set to begin traffic testing earlier this year, after which it will receive official approvals. Construction started in 2018, but the project has been a point of contention between countries for over a decade.
It is estimated to have cost 6.4 billion Canadian dollars (almost 4 billion euros), according to CBC.
What the White House Leader Wants
In his social media statement, Trump said the US should own "at least half of this asset." He also suggested that the neighboring state owns both the Canadian and American parts of the bridge.
The group constructing the bridge, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, is entirely owned by the Canadian government, according to the project's website.
"The Canadian government expects me, as the President of the United States, to ALLOW them to benefit from America! I will not allow the opening of this bridge until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them," he wrote.
Additionally, the US President blamed former President Barack Obama for allowing the start of construction without using American steel.
However, Mayor Drew Dilkens from Windsor, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the bridge, told CBC that this accusation is false. "It's madness. I really can't believe what I'm reading," he said.
The Moroun family - American owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, also connecting Detroit and Canada - appealed to Trump during his first term to stop the construction of the new bridge, arguing that it infringes on their exclusive right to collect tolls.
In response, Trump and then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement stating that the bridge is a "vital economic link" between the two countries.
Trump Doesn't Forget and Doesn't Forgive
Democratic Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, rejected Trump's threat to close the bridge, stating that it is beneficial for jobs in her state.
"This project has been an extraordinary example of bipartisan and international cooperation," said Whitmer's press secretary, Stacey LaRouche, to CBC.
In his message, Trump referenced recent trade disputes between the two countries, saying: "The tariffs that Canada imposes on our dairy products have been unacceptable for many years."
He also stated that a trade deal signed between Canada and China last month will "devour Canada alive."
Trump continued: "The first thing China will do is completely end ice hockey being played in Canada and permanently remove the Stanley Cup (trophy awarded to the playoff champion team - ed.)."
However, Democratic Senator Slotkin reacted, saying that the only reason Canada was on the verge of signing a trade deal with China was that Trump "gave them a headache for a year" to the northern neighbor.
"Canada is our friend, not our enemy," she added, promising to work to get the project back on track.
T.D.