Canada Scraps Joint Bridge Ceremony After Trump Tariff Move
WASHINGTON_Canada has canceled a planned joint ceremony with the United States to mark the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods, a move that has renewed trade tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The ceremony had been scheduled for Friday to celebrate the opening of the bridge linking Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. Canadian officials said the event would no longer proceed as a joint celebration following Washington’s latest trade action.
“In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries,” Jenna Ghassabeh, spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, said in an emailed statement.
The decision follows Trump’s announcement of tariffs on most Canadian goods. The U.S. president accused Canada of unfair trade practices involving automobiles, alcohol and dairy products, escalating a dispute with one of Washington’s closest trading partners.
The cancellation comes only weeks after U.S. and Canadian officials reached an agreement to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge following delays caused by unresolved issues between the two governments.
Canada now intends to hold its own opening ceremony on Friday, while it remains unclear whether U.S. authorities will organize a separate event.
Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations, said they still expect the bridge to open to traffic on July 27, although they expressed less certainty than before.
Ghassabeh said Canada remained committed to opening the bridge on July 27 and celebrating the milestone with Canadians on July 24.
The 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) bridge spans the Detroit River, creating a direct connection between Detroit and Windsor. A ribbon-cutting ceremony had originally been planned for June 12 but was postponed after officials said outstanding issues between the two countries still required resolution.
Canada financed construction of the bridge under an agreement allowing it to recover project costs through toll revenues. According to the report, the Trump administration had sought changes to that arrangement.
Construction of the project began in 2018 under an agreement negotiated during the administration of former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. The bridge, which cost nearly $4.4 billion, is named after Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played 25 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings.
The crossing is expected to become a major transportation and trade corridor between Canada and the United States, facilitating the movement of goods and travelers across one of North America’s busiest commercial borders.
Trade tensions have intensified in recent months. In February, Trump called on Canada through a social media post to grant the United States at least a 50% ownership stake in the bridge, along with other unspecified demands.
The White House said the new tariffs would take effect in 30 days, allowing time for negotiations between the two governments. Trump has previously postponed or withdrawn proposed tariffs during earlier trade disputes.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government remained committed to the principles of free and fair trade and was prepared to continue negotiations with the Trump administration.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada should respond with equivalent measures if the U.S. tariffs are implemented, calling for tariff-for-tariff and dollar-for-dollar retaliation.
