Trump Threatens to Block Opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge

Escalating US-Canada trade tensions raise concerns over cross-border infrastructure project

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to leverage his influence to delay or even block the opening of the highly anticipated Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. This move comes amid ongoing disputes over trade imbalances and Canadian dairy policies, further escalating tensions between the US and Canada and raising significant concerns for businesses, commuters, and the broader North American economy.

Why it matters

The Gordie Howe Bridge is a critical infrastructure project that is projected to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation, increased trade flow, and enhanced supply chain efficiency for the automotive industry and other sectors that rely heavily on cross-border component shipments. Trump's threat to block the bridge's opening could substantially disrupt North American supply chains, leading to increased congestion at existing border crossings, supply chain disruptions, economic losses for businesses, and uncertainty around future investment in the region.

The details

The current situation is not isolated, as US-Canada trade relations have experienced periods of strain for decades, with friction points including disputes over dairy imports, steel and aluminum tariffs, energy pipelines, and lumber. The Gordie Howe Bridge is a joint project between the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) in Canada and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and its construction is nearing completion. Trump's potential avenues for obstructing the bridge's opening include political pressure, legal challenges, raising border security concerns, and leveraging his relationships with state governors.

  • The Gordie Howe Bridge is nearing completion and is expected to open in the near future.
  • Trump's threat to block the bridge's opening comes amid escalating US-Canada trade tensions that have been ongoing for decades.

The players

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who has threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)

A Canadian organization that is a joint partner in the Gordie Howe Bridge project.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

A US state agency that is a joint partner in the Gordie Howe Bridge project.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Canadian government is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to address US concerns and secure the timely opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, while also signaling its willingness to consider retaliatory measures if the US attempts to obstruct the project.

The takeaway

The dispute over the Gordie Howe Bridge highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure projects to geopolitical factors, as well as the need for businesses to proactively prepare for potential supply chain disruptions by diversifying their sourcing options, increasing inventory levels, and developing contingency plans.