US President Donald Trump threatened on 9/2 to block the opening of a major international bridge, demanding Canada fully reimburse the US and demonstrate fair treatment. This declaration, made on Truth Social, signals a significant escalation in diplomatic and trade tensions between the two neighboring countries.

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 5/2. Photo: AFP

"I will not allow this bridge to open until the US is fully reimbursed for everything we have provided, and more importantly, until Canada treats the US with the fairness and respect we deserve. We will begin negotiations immediately," Trump stated.

The bridge in question is the six-lane, 4,7 billion USD Gordie Howe International Bridge, fully funded by the Canadian government. This vital infrastructure project connects Canada's Ontario province with Michigan and is named after the late Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe. Construction commenced in 2018, with its opening anticipated early this year.

Trump's grievances extend beyond financial reimbursement; he specifically complained that Canada owns both sides of the bridge and used virtually no American products for its construction. He asserted that the US should own at least half of the bridge, emphasizing his belief in equitable ownership and resource utilization.

Further fueling the dispute, Trump criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's intentions to sign a trade deal with China. "Beyond these issues, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney now wants to sign a deal with China, a move that will swallow Canada whole, leaving us with only the leftovers. I do not believe things will proceed that way," Trump emphasized, implying that such a deal would disadvantage the US.

This threat follows the US's warning to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports. This warning came after Carney's visit to Beijing last month, where he signed a preliminary agreement in principle to address economic and trade issues with China, a move viewed with suspicion by the Trump administration.

The Gordie Howe Bridge under construction in 4/2025. Photo: AFP

The relationship between Trump and Canada has been strained since his return to power in 1/2025, marked by repeated clashes over trade. Previously, during his first term, Trump had supported the bridge's construction, with a joint statement in 2017 alongside then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau describing it as an "important economic link between the two nations." However, his stance has since shifted dramatically.

In a broader context of global governance, the Canadian Prime Minister, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland last month, stated that "the US-led global governance system is fracturing" and nations must adapt to new realities. This statement angered the US President, who subsequently withdrew Canada's invitation to participate in the Peace Council he initiated. Trump had also, in the past, called for Canada's annexation as the 51st US state, though he has rarely mentioned this issue in recent months.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, CBC)