Ontario’s leader is urging Canadians and the country’s prime minister not to yield to Donald Trump’s warnings about obstructing the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge. Doug Ford emphasized the need to stand firm against President Trump’s threats, questioning why the bridge was expedited in 2017 and highlighting its benefits for both American and Canadian economies.
Trump’s statement on Monday indicated that he would prevent the bridge from opening until the U.S. is fully compensated and Canada treats the U.S. fairly and respectfully. Ford refuted Trump’s claim that the bridge has minimal American content, pointing out that 25% of the bridge’s concrete is American-made.
The Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority confirmed that the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is progressing as planned and is set to open in early 2026, emphasizing the economic advantages it will bring to North America. The bridge project, jointly owned by Canada and Michigan, aims to foster investments, create jobs, and boost business and tourism opportunities.
The initiative for an additional southwestern Ontario bridge arose in the early 2000s, with an agreement signed in 2012 between Canada and Michigan. The construction commenced six years later, funded entirely by Canadian taxpayers with the intention of recouping costs through tolls and sharing bridge revenue with Michigan.
Situated west of the existing crossings along the Detroit River, the Gordie Howe bridge will divert traffic away from populated areas, linking Highway 401 and the I-75 in Michigan. The opening of the bridge has faced delays, with the latest timeline shift from fall 2025 to early 2026, prompting calls for transparency on the project’s progress.
Former Michigan Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Canada, James Blanchard, dismissed Trump’s threats as baseless, emphasizing the bridge’s significance for trade and employment across the border. The union representing workers on the bridge criticized Trump’s remarks as inflammatory and emphasized the project’s collaborative nature to benefit both sides of the Detroit River.
The bridge’s opening celebration is scheduled for late March or early April, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of cross-border infrastructure investments for economic growth and job protection.