Canadian PM responds to Trump threat to block bridge between US and Canada
The six-lane bridge is set to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday he looks forward to the opening of a new bridge between the United States and Canada, a day after President Donald Trump threatened to block the multibillion-dollar project.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump said, "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 did not mention the bridge by name, but appears to be referring to the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The six-lane project is set to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
Trump said that he plans to "start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY," seeming to refer to a deal on the bridge, and repeated his ongoing criticism of Canada since he began a trade war with America's northern neighbor.
"With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical," Trump said in the post.
The $4.7 billion bridge has been under construction since 2018. It is expected to open early this year, with major construction complete, though an opening date has not yet been announced. Its construction is being financed and overseen by the Canadian government.
Carney said he spoke to Trump on Tuesday and discussed the bridge and its ownership.
"I explained that Canada paid for the construction of the bridge -- more than $4 billion -- and that ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the Government of Canada," Carney told reporters.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also told reporters on Tuesday that under the terms of the existing agreement between Canada and the U.S., once Canada pays off the bridge through tolls, Michigan will own half of it.
Carney said he had a "positive conversation" with Trump and emphasized the cooperation between the two neighbors, with Canadian and American steel, as well as workers from both countries, involved in the construction.
"We very much look forward to the bridge opening," Carney said. "What is particularly important, of course, is the commerce, the tourism and the travel of Canadians and Americans who will cross that bridge."
Carney added that Trump suggested U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, a former congressman from Michigan, "play a role in helping to smooth discussions around the bridge."
During his call with Carney, Trump stressed that he was "putting America's interests first," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing Tuesday.
Asked why Trump has now changed his mind about the bridge, after initially expressing support during his first term, Leavitt said it was "unacceptable" to the president that more American-made materials weren't being used in its construction, and that he believes the U.S. should "participate in the economic benefits generated by its use."
Ford said he is "very confident" the bridge will open because it's "in the best interest of the American economy."
"The worst thing you could do is hurt the American economy and continue to hurt the American economy," he said.
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