Prime Minister Mark Carney said he explained to Donald Trump that while Canada financed construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, ownership is shared with the State of Michigan. He described a “positive conversation” after Trump threatened to block the bridge’s opening unless the U.S. is “compensated.” Carney also said U.S. steel and workers contributed to the project.
What the White House is arguing
The White House says the president could amend the project’s presidential permit. Officials contend the U.S. deserves greater control and benefits. Trump has also claimed the bridge used no U.S. content. Reporting and statements from Canada and Michigan dispute that claim. They note American materials and labor formed part of the build.
Who owns the bridge and who paid
Canada financed the cross-border link to ease congestion at the aging Ambassador Bridge. However, legal arrangements assign joint ownership between Canada and Michigan, with cost recovery planned through tolls. U.S. and Canadian officials have repeated that structure this week amid the dispute.
Timelines: construction complete, testing underway
Major construction is complete. The project team says testing and commissioning are in progress, with an opening targeted for early 2026. Local outlets in Detroit and the project authority report the same window, pending final quality reviews.
Michigan and Ontario push back
Gretchen Whitmer calls the bridge good for jobs and the auto sector. She says her team remains in contact as the dispute unfolds. Doug Ford argues the crossing is vital for trade and notes Trump once supported it. Both urge keeping the project on track.
Why this matters for trade
The Detroit–Windsor corridor is the busiest goods crossing in North America. A delay would complicate supply chains and raise costs for manufacturers on both sides of the border. Business groups in Michigan and national media warn that blocking the opening would undercut regional competitiveness.
The Windsor‑Detroit Bridge Authority says collaboration across Canadian and U.S. governments has driven the project for decades. It maintains that the bridge remains on track while final tests continue. For now, Ottawa and Lansing emphasize shared ownership, binational benefits, and the need to open as planned.
