Canada marks Gordie Howe bridge opening without US after trade war deepens

Canada marked the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in a ceremony limited to Canadian officials and guests, notably excluding United States participation. The bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, opened to traffic on Monday following the Friday celebration. The decision to hold a Canadian-only ceremony reflected escalating tensions between the two countries over trade and tariff disputes.

The opening celebration featured traditional Canadian elements, including tables of refreshments and children playing hockey in tribute to the legendary hockey player after whom the bridge is named. Ontario Premier Doug Ford attended wearing a Team Canada hockey jersey bearing Howe's number 9. Attendees were encouraged to display Canadian national colours and were prevented from crossing to the US side of the bridge during the ceremony.

The $4.7 billion bridge was entirely funded by Canada and represents a faster alternative to the existing Ambassador Bridge across the Detroit River. Construction began in 2018, with the project originally scheduled to open in June. The bridge was designed to improve cross-border transportation efficiency between the two countries.

Tensions between Canada and the United States have intensified significantly, with US President Donald Trump threatening to impose additional tariffs on Canada, which exports approximately 70 percent of its goods to the United States. Trump previously threatened to block the project in February, citing disputes over provincial alcohol sales policies, Canadian dairy tariffs, and trade negotiations with China. Disagreements persist regarding how bridge revenues will be divided between the two countries and the timing of such distributions.

Prior to the opening, Matthew Moroun, a Detroit-based trucking magnate whose family has operated the Ambassador Bridge for decades, donated $1 million to a Trump-aligned political action committee, according to campaign finance records. Moroun has long opposed the new bridge due to concerns about reduced traffic and revenue on the existing Ambassador Bridge. The White House and the political action committee have denied any connection between the donation and Trump's threats regarding the project.

Despite the bridge's completion, Premier Ford acknowledged that Canada's relationship with the United States had been strained by tariff disputes, though he characterised the bridge as evidence of what the two countries can accomplish through cooperation.