Canada Opens Bridge to Detroit, Drops US Officials From Ceremony

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Members of the media ahead of a ceremony marking the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Cole Burston /Photographer: Cole Burston/Bloom(Bloomberg) — Canadian officials opened a multibillion-dollar bridge connecting Michigan and Ontario, a 1.5-mile span that will improve efficiency for automakers and others, but which became a symbol of tension between the two allies in the Trump era. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe Gordie Howe International Bridge has been in the works for more than a decade and is meant to speed the flow of tourists and commercial trucks between the US and the industrial heartland of Canada — a critical supply route for the North American auto sector. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday was delayed after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick intervened to renegotiate the financial terms of the bridge. The Trump administration and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government eventually struck a side agreement that allowed the bridge to open, with the US getting a profit share for 15 years. A joint opening ceremony was planned. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againBut after President Donald Trump threatened new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods on July 20, officials in Carney’s government canceled that celebration. Instead, they held an event on the Canadian side of the border that didn’t include any American officials as speakers. Carney didn’t attend, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford did, along with Mark Wiseman, Canada’s ambassador in Washington, who was key to negotiating the compromise with the US.The bridge is named after a famous Canadian hockey player who spent most of his career with the Detroit Red Wings, to symbolize close US-Canada ties. Members of the Howe family were in attendance at Friday’s ceremony.Ford, wearing a red Canadian hockey jersey with Howe’s name on the back, said that his province “will be ready to respond on any new American tariffs. We will not back down.”But despite the ongoing trade dispute, he added: “I know Canadians love Americans and I know Americans love Canadians — and I know that bond will last for another over 200 years.” The Ontario leader has irritated Trump and his officials by retaliating against US tariffs, including banning the retail sale of American wine and spirits in the government-run liquor stores in the province. As the ceremony was happening, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS to the United States.”After Friday’s ceremony, the toll bridge will begin accepting traffic on Monday. Canada and the US exchange hundreds of millions of dollars a day in auto parts and finished vehicles. Canada is the largest export market for US-manufactured cars and trucks, and the US is the largest buyer of Canadian-made vehicles. But that trade has depended in large part on the aging Ambassador Bridge, which is owned by the Moroun family of Michigan.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The region sees about C$300 billion ($213 billion) of cross-border trade a year, Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said at the bridge-opening event in Windsor, Ontario. Canada and Michigan struck a deal in 2012 under which Canada agreed to pay for the 1.5-mile span, which ended up costing around C$6.4 billion. Under the terms, Canada would collect the toll revenue for decades until the money was recouped, and after that, Michigan would share in the money. But the bridge’s opening was delayed after Lutnick blocked it, seeking a share of the toll revenue for the US. After weeks of negotiations, Canada agreed to direct 50% of the operating profit from the bridge to a US-run regional development fund for 15 years. The original deal with Michigan remains in place as well. Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister who signed the bridge agreement, said he was proud to see it finally open. “May it long continue Gordie Howe’s legacy of connecting our two great countries, fuelling growth and opportunity for decades to come,” the former Canadian leader said in a post on X. —With assistance from Thomas Seal and Melissa Shin.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.