Photo credit: Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Why Donald Trump is Threatening to Delay Gordie Howe International Bridge Between Michigan and Canada
February 17, 2026
WDIV-TV
February 10, 2026
Will Jones
The White House is doubling down on President Trump’s threats to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Michigan and Canada. White House officials confirmed the president has the authority to amend the permit for the bridge, which is set to open this year. The statement comes after Trump posted on Truth Social saying he would block the bridge’s opening until Canada treats the U.S. with “fairness and respect.”
The president’s threats come as negotiations are set to begin this year on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade pact between the three North American nations. The Gordie Howe International Bridge would be the third border crossing between Detroit and Windsor, serving one of North America’s busiest trade corridors. The project’s origins date back to 2012, when Michigan and Canada signed an agreement to build the jointly-owned bridge. Under the agreement, Canada took responsibility for construction costs, which will be repaid through toll revenue. The bridge will be operated by Canada through a public-private partnership.
Glenn Stevens Jr., of the Detroit Regional Chamber, emphasized the bridge’s importance to regional commerce. “We have significant trade with Canada, a lot of it is auto, some agriculture, some energy. It’s important to commerce. It’s important what we do with regards to the flow of people,” Stevens said. “It is really important for us to get a strong new USMCA agreement, and that is what is caught up a little bit here with this,” Stevens added, connecting the bridge dispute to broader trade negotiations. “We have significant trade with Canada, a lot of it is auto, some agriculture, some energy. It’s important to commerce. It’s important what we do with regards to the flow of people,” Stevens said.