Trump Threatens to Block Opening of New Gordie Howe International Bridge Connecting US and Canada

Washington D.C. Former US President Donald Trump has warned that he will block the opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Canada.

Posting on Truth Social on Monday, he stated that the bridge would not be allowed to open until the United States receives full compensation.

The main construction of this 1.5-mile-long bridge has been completed. Although the bridge was expected to become operational this year after testing, Trump accused Canada of not giving justice and respect to the US and announced that he would start negotiations immediately.

'I will not let this bridge open until America receives full compensation for everything it has given. Canada must treat us fairly,' he wrote in the post. However, it is unclear how Trump can legally or administratively block the bridge. CNN has sought comment from the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which operates the bridge.

It is also being reported that Trump falsely claimed that Canada owns both sides of the bridge and that almost no American materials were used in its construction. According to the 2012 agreement, although Canada will fully finance, construct, and operate this bridge, which costs about $4 billion, the ownership will be joint between the Government of Canada and the State of Michigan.

Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that the iron and steel used in the bridge must be produced in either the US or Canada, and neither country should be given preference.