Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that he is looking forward to the opening of a new bridge linking the United States and Canada, a day after President Donald Trump threatened to block the project.
In a social media post Monday, Trump said he would not allow the bridge to open until the United States is “fully compensated” and until Canada treats the U.S. with what he called “fairness and respect.”
Trump did not name the project, but his comments appeared to refer to the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a six-lane crossing set to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.
Trump said he wanted to begin negotiations “immediately,” and suggested the U.S. should own at least half of the asset, arguing that revenues tied to access to the U.S. market would be substantial.
The $4.7 billion bridge has been under construction since 2018. Major construction is complete, and it is expected to open early this year, though an official opening date has not been announced. The Canadian government has financed and overseen construction.
Carney said he spoke with Trump on Tuesday and discussed the bridge and its ownership.
“I explained that Canada paid for the construction of the bridge — more than $4 billion — and that ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the Government of Canada,” Carney told reporters.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that under the terms of the existing agreement between Canada and the U.S., once Canada pays off the bridge through tolls, Michigan will own half of it.
Carney described his call with Trump as positive and emphasized cooperation between the two countries, noting that both Canadian and American steel were used and that workers from both sides of the border were involved in construction.
“We very much look forward to the bridge opening,” Carney said. He added that the crossing would be important for commerce, tourism and travel between the two countries.
Carney also said Trump suggested that U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, a former Michigan congressman, help smooth discussions related to the project.
During a press briefing Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump told Carney he was putting America’s interests first. Asked why Trump’s position appears to have changed after he previously expressed support for the bridge during his first term, Leavitt said the president considers it unacceptable that more American-made materials were not used and believes the U.S. should share in the economic benefits generated by the bridge.
Ford said he remains confident the bridge will open, calling it in the best interest of the American economy.
“The worst thing you could do is hurt the American economy and continue to hurt the American economy,” he said.
