• Trump threatens to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
• He demands Canada compensate the US for past contributions before the bridge opens.
• The bridge, connecting Ontario and Michigan, is valued at $4.7 billion and has been in construction since 2018.
• Trump cites Canada’s recent trade deal with China as a reason for his stance.
• Opening of the bridge is projected for early 2026, pending approvals.

President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge until the United States is "fully compensated for everything" it has provided to Canada. In a recent social media post, Trump expressed that he would not allow the bridge to open until Canada “treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” demanding immediate negotiations, according to channelnewsasia and abcnews.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is set to connect Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan, has been under construction since 2018 and is valued at approximately $4.7 billion. Trump did not specify how he would hinder its opening, but he implied that there should be an ownership stake for the U.S. in the project. He insisted that, “with all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” according to bbc and abcnews.

Construction and financing of the bridge are handled by the Canadian government, which owns the project via the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. Trump criticized Canada for planning to negotiate with China, claiming such deals would be detrimental to the U.S., stating, "the first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup,” according to bbc. He also warned that potential tariffs on Canadian dairy products have long been "unacceptable".

As the bridge approaches its anticipated opening in early 2026, pending formal tests and approvals, discussions regarding U.S.-Canada trade relations continue to escalate. Trump’s ongoing threats reflect a larger context of trade tensions between the two nations, especially following his claims regarding tariffs and previous negotiation disputes, as referenced by channelnewsasia, and bbc.