Trump Threatens to Block New U.S.-Canada Bridge Over Trade Demands

President Trump aims to use leverage over new border crossing to force concessions from Canada in USMCA trade deal renegotiations.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a new bridge connecting the United States and Canada, the latest pressure tactic he plans to use in renegotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal. Trump sees the bridge as leverage to force Canada to make trade concessions, including on long-standing issues like the dairy industry and liquor distribution. The Trump administration has a list of demands for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and is prepared to take a hardline approach, even suggesting the possibility of scrapping USMCA altogether in favor of separate bilateral deals.

Why it matters

The renegotiation of USMCA is a high-stakes process that could have major implications for businesses and industries on both sides of the border that have structured their operations around the existing trade agreement. Trump's aggressive tactics raise the possibility of a breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade relations, which could be economically disruptive for both countries.

The details

Trump threatened to block the opening of the new Detroit-to-Windsor bridge, just hours after the billionaire owner of a competing U.S.-Canada bridge met with the U.S. Commerce Secretary. Trump sees the new bridge as leverage to force Canada to make trade concessions, including on long-standing issues like the dairy industry and liquor distribution. The Trump administration has a list of demands for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and is prepared to take a hardline approach, even suggesting the possibility of scrapping USMCA altogether in favor of separate bilateral deals.

  • On February 9, 2026, Trump threatened to block the opening of the new Detroit-to-Windsor bridge.
  • The USMCA trade deal is set to be reviewed by the summer of 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who is seeking to renegotiate the USMCA trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

Mark Carney

The Prime Minister of Canada who is facing pressure from the Trump administration over trade issues.

Jamieson Greer

The U.S. Trade Representative who helped negotiate and pass the USMCA during Trump's first term, but is now urging a more disruptive approach to the renegotiations.

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What they’re saying

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve.”

— Donald Trump (Social media)

“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

— Donald Trump (The New York Times)

“The president's been quite clear. He's half inclined to leave. So we'll see how that goes.”

— Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative (The New York Times)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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