Donald Trump attacks Obama-era waiver allowing Canada to bypass Buy American rules and threatens to prevent the Gordie Howe International Bridge from opening across the Detroit River

President Donald Trump has ignited a political controversy by threatening to stop the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the massive crossing connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

On his social platform, Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of taking advantage of the United States and criticized past U.S. policies that he says allowed the project to bypass protections meant to support American industry.

This bridge is more than just a construction project.

When complete, it will become the busiest commercial crossing on the northern border, handling billions of dollars in trade each year.

Its role in facilitating the flow of goods between the two countries makes Trump’s threat particularly consequential.

Trump’s Criticism of the Obama-Era Waiver

Trump’s main grievance centers on a waiver granted during Barack Obama’s presidency that allowed the bridge to bypass strict Buy American rules.

Normally, federally funded projects must use American-made steel and materials.

But this waiver permitted the use of both Canadian and American iron and steel, which Trump claims unfairly excluded U.S. workers.

In his post, Trump accused Obama of “stupidly” giving Canada the waiver and argued that the United States should have a significant ownership stake in the bridge, perhaps even half of it.

He framed the decision as a betrayal of American industry and added that the U.S. receives “absolutely nothing” despite the economic benefits the bridge will generate.

Trump also raised broader trade issues, including Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy products, which have long been a point of contention.

The Strategic Importance of the Bridge

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a critical infrastructure project for trade and transportation.

It spans the Detroit River at a location where roughly one-third of U.S.-Canada trade occurs, connecting major highways in both countries.

On the U.S. side, it links to Interstate 75 and Interstate 96, while in Ontario it connects to Highway 401, a key east-west trade route.

The bridge will enable more efficient movement of goods, from automotive parts to agricultural products, strengthening supply chains and reducing delays at border crossings.

With Michigan and Ontario deeply intertwined economically, the bridge represents a significant investment in regional commerce.

Michigan Officials Push Back

Local leaders were quick to respond to Trump’s threat.

Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, warned that halting the project could devastate jobs and raise costs for businesses.

She emphasized that Canada is a key trade partner and that blocking the bridge would hurt American interests rather than protect them.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also voiced support for the project, highlighting the bridge as an example of successful bipartisan and international cooperation.

Michigan representatives, including Shri Thanedar and Debbie Dingell, echoed her sentiment, stressing that the bridge creates jobs, supports union labor, and strengthens the state’s economy.

They dismissed Trump’s threat as political posturing that could undermine regional growth.

A Symbol of Broader Trade Tensions

The dispute over the Gordie Howe Bridge reflects larger tensions in U.S.-Canada trade relations.

Trump’s hard-line approach comes as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is set for review, and economic coercion has been a recurring concern for Canadian officials.

While the bridge is essentially a piece of infrastructure, it has become a symbol of ongoing trade disagreements, tariffs, and disputes over national industry protections.

What’s Next?

Despite Trump’s threats, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open later this year, following years of construction and political negotiation.

Canada financed the project and plans to recover its investment through tolls.

Michigan officials and business leaders are prepared to push back against any attempt to halt the bridge, anticipating possible legal challenges or renewed negotiations with Canada.

The coming months will reveal whether political disputes can interfere with what is poised to be a vital economic artery between the two countries.

Summary

Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, citing a waiver from the Obama administration that allowed Canadian materials to be used.

The bridge, funded by Canada, will connect Windsor and Detroit, creating a major commercial artery for U.S.-Canada trade.

Local Michigan leaders have condemned Trump’s threat, arguing it would harm jobs and supply chains.

The situation underscores broader tensions in trade relations between the U.S. and Canada and adds a political dimension to an already significant infrastructure project.

While the bridge is set to open later this year, disputes over ownership, trade policies, and economic fairness could shape the months ahead.