Former US President Donald Trump has warned that he may prevent the opening of a major new bridge linking the United States and Canada, escalating tensions with a key neighbor he has repeatedly criticized on trade and sovereignty issues.
Speaking on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he would not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open unless the United States is “fully compensated” and treated with what he described as “fairness and respect” by Canada. He also argued that the US should own at least half of the bridge.
The US$4.7 billion bridge, which has been under construction since 2018, is designed to connect Ontario, Canada, with Michigan in the United States. Named after legendary Canadian-born NHL star Gordie Howe, the bridge is expected to open later this year and is seen as a critical trade and transport link between the two countries.
Trump claimed that Canada effectively controls both sides of the bridge and alleged that “virtually no” US products were used in its construction. He added that negotiations should begin immediately, signaling a possible showdown over infrastructure, trade, and bilateral relations.
The former president also criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent outreach to China, following Carney’s visit to Beijing last month, where a preliminary trade agreement was discussed. Trump warned that closer Canada–China ties could harm Canadian interests and said Washington has considered imposing tariffs of up to 100 percent on Canadian goods in response.
In a characteristically provocative statement, Trump repeated an unverified claim that China would “terminate all ice hockey being played in Canada,” a remark that drew widespread skepticism.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly clashed with Canada over trade and foreign policy. While he previously floated the idea of the United States annexing Canada, such comments have become less frequent in recent months.
Prime Minister Carney, for his part, cautioned at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the US-led global governance system is facing a serious rupture, a comment widely interpreted as a response to Trump’s disruptive approach to international relations. He urged mid-sized nations to cooperate more closely in an increasingly unstable global landscape.
