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.
• The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said in a statement it is still on track for opening the bridge early this year.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also told reporters yesterday 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Commerce Secretary Howard 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.

Gordie Howe bridge history

Trump's unexpected call for negotiations drew a plethora of other reactions, including from former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican who played a crucial role in the project.

In an 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."

U.S. Rep. John James, a GOP gubernatorial candidate from Shelby Township, was asked about Trump's bridge statements yesterday in an 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 is using every means and method at his disposal to secure America's economy and our national security."

🦪 The Detroit Free Press is announcing its list of the top restaurants and dining experiences of the year throughout this week, including naming the Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery in Oakland County as the region's No. 1 new restaurant.

• Others on the list include Tacos Wuey in southwest Detroit and Greek restaurant Blue Goat in Royal Oak. (Free Press)

⚾ The Tigers welcomed back Justin Verlander yesterday, signing the three-time Cy Young Award winner to a one-year, $13 million deal. (Detroit News)

🏛️ Dan Gilbert's Bedrock sold 201 W. Fort St., a historic downtown bank building, to prominent local attorney Todd Flood's firm. (Crain's 🔒)

The Pistons revived the franchise's Bad Boy image with an on-court brawl Monday night in Charlotte.

Catch up quick: The skirmish started in the third quarter.

• Jalen Duren hit Charlotte's Moussa Diabate in the face with an open right hand after a foul by Diabate.
• The fight escalated from there, with coaches and bench players spilling onto the court.
• Detroit's Isaiah Stewart left the bench to confront the Hornets' Miles Bridges. He then got Bridges in a headlock and delivered "multiple left-handed blows," per the AP.

State of play: Duren, Stewart, Bridges and Diabate were ejected. The NBA is likely to issue further punishment, particularly given Stewart's history of fighting.

• The Pistons (39-13) beat Charlotte 110-104.
• Detroit's next game is 7:30pm Wednesday at the Toronto Raptors.

💭 Joe's thought bubble: Monday's fight is obviously not a good example to set for young athletes.

• But I can't lie — I relished seeing the intensity and team brotherhood. Bill Laimbeer would be proud.

If your tax return hits a snag this year, getting help from the IRS could take longer — and more complex refunds could be slow to arrive too.

Why it matters: A Treasury watchdog report warns the Internal Revenue Service entered the 2026 filing season short-staffed and overwhelmed, increasing the risk of delays and service problems for millions of taxpayers.

• The service is navigating "historic shortages," Erica Mariani, a tax manager at AlphaCore Wealth Advisory, tells Axios.

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