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★ Government Action

Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe Bridge opening to punish Canada

Canada-US Trade RelationsCorporate FavorsLutnick Commerce Department

Filed February 2026

★ The Brief

Who enabled it

Who benefits

On the evening of Monday, February 9, 2026, President Trump posted on social media threatening to stop the scheduled opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge — a $4.7 billion span paid for by Canada and set to be operated jointly by Canada and Michigan. Trump cited grievances including Canada's control over traffic crossing the bridge, its use of non-American materials, and its renewed trade relationship with China. Trump also suggested the United States might seek to acquire 'at least one half' of the new bridge and take a cut of its tolls. It was not immediately clear what legal mechanism Trump would use to block a bridge whose construction was funded by Canada and authorized under a joint U.S.-Canada agreement. The Gordie Howe Bridge is designed to ease congestion in the busiest trade corridor between the two countries.

Actors

Who pushed it · 1

Who initiated, paid, or pushed the action.

  • Donald Trump
    Donald Trump

    Issued a public social media threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and floated a potential U.S. acquisition of a share of the bridge, hours after Commerce Secretary Lutnick relayed a meeting with Ambassador Bridge owner Matthew Moroun.

Beneficiaries

Who gained · 1

Who stood to gain.

  • Matthew Moroun

    Stands to benefit commercially if the Gordie Howe Bridge is blocked or delayed, as it would protect the Ambassador Bridge's monopoly on cross-border toll traffic in the Detroit-Windsor corridor.

    Matthew Moroun has paid into Trump’s orbit:

Sources

Further reading