Trump's threat to block Gordie Howe bridge divides Michigan leaders
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The Gordie Howe International Bridge. Photo: Courtesy of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project
President Trump's sudden threat on Monday to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening early this year could have dire consequences for Michigan's economy, critics say.
Why it matters: For years, Michigan and Detroit have been counting on the bridge's opening to usher in a new era of international commerce, border security and tourism.
- Trump's threat casts fresh doubt over that outcome as Republican leaders back his demand that Canada treat the United States with "fairness and respect."
State of play: In a Truth Social post, Trump punctuated a long list of his grievances with Canada — including its China trade deal and tariffs on American goods — with a refusal to open the Gordie Howe bridge "until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them."
- The $4.6 billion bridge is owned by Canada and Michigan, though Canada paid for it and expects to recoup the investment through tolls.
What they're saying: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed the bridge between Detroit and Windsor will "open one way or another" and stressed its importance to the state's workforce and auto industry.
- "The governor looks forward to attending the ribbon cutting," Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche said in a statement to Axios Detroit.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also told reporters Tuesday he looks forward to the opening, adding that he discussed the bridge with Trump and explained it was built with workers and steel from both countries.
- Carney also called out the bridge's expected boon for tourism — its highly anticipated international walking and cycling path is expected to become a bucket-list travel destination.
The other side: Some high-profile Michigan Republicans support Trump's social media post and say he is right to renegotiate deals with Canada, echoing the president's opposition to a trade deal between Canada and China.
- "The U.S. holds a lot of the cards here," Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, of Richland Township, told the Detroit News.
- Hall said he planned to meet Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to learn more.
What they're saying: Beyond improving trade flows, wait times and supply chain costs for the auto industry that heavily uses the Detroit-Windsor border, the bridge will also deliver the latest security and border control infrastructure, Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MichAuto, tells Axios.
- "It is a significant upgrade to the border from a security standpoint, which is paramount to this administration and all administrations," says Stevens, whose association represents and promotes the auto industry, including working with Canada.
Threat level: Posturing and negotiating are part of the president's process, Stevens says, "but at the same time, we have to point out that this really cannot be a pawn or a chip in trade, because it's so essential to commerce and safety and security …" Stevens says.
- Any further halt or delay would stall critical progress, he says.
Flashback: Planning for the bridge started nearly 30 years ago.
- Former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder played a crucial role in the project and once touted the project as a symbol of U.S.-Canadian partnership.
- Ground broke in 2018, with delays pushing the opening timeline back. The latest estimate is early 2026, and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said in a statement Tuesday it is still on track to open on that timeline.
- Major construction is complete, with inspection and testing underway.
Between the lines: The Moroun family, which owns the Ambassador Bridge, has strongly opposed construction of the Gordie Howe bridge.
- The family arranged a 2018 commercial on "Fox & Friends" to try to convince Trump to revoke the bridge's 2013 presidential permit.
- Matthew Moroun met with Lutnick on Monday before Trump's post was made, the New York Times reported.
- Officials with the Moroun family's Detroit International Bridge Company have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
More leaders weigh in
Trump's unexpected call for negotiations drew a plethora of other reactions, including from Snyder, the former governor from 2011-19 who normally keeps out of the limelight.
In a quickly penned opinion piece for the News, Snyder countered Trump's comments one by one.
- In response to Trump's assertion that the U.S. should own half of the bridge, he wrote: "We do already!"
- The negative impacts of a delay will be felt even stronger by the U.S. than Canada, he added, "given the size of each country's economy."
- He wrote that the "one big winner" would be the Moroun family and the Ambassador Bridge.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters also weighed in on X, saying Trump's statement is "completely backwards."
- "Michigan's economy is highly integrated with Canada and the Detroit-Windsor corridor is one of the busiest border crossings for trade in our entire country … This is another case of the President undermining Michigan businesses and workers."
U.S. Rep. John James, a GOP gubernatorial candidate from Shelby Township, was asked about Trump's bridge statements in a Tuesday interview with Justin Barclay of Grand Rapids' WOOD Radio.
- "President Trump is the best dealmaker in the world," James said, adding that he believes China is cozying up to Canada to pursue closer access to the United States.
- "President Trump understands how vital it is, not only for our economy but also for our national security, to make sure that our neighbors are aware of that. President Trump is using every means and method at his disposal to secure America's economy and our national security."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details, plus comments from Michigan political leaders and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.