Putting aside the United States, on July 24 local time, Canada held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Gordie Howe Cross-Border Bridge that connects the two countries. Previously, there were disputes between the two countries over cost sharing issues. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Canada, further deteriorating the already tense bilateral relations.
According to Reuters, the celebration on Friday was held in a low-key manner within Canada, with no American officials present. Participants were encouraged to wear red and white uniforms inspired by the Canadian flag, in order to ‘show Canadian pride’. Additionally, it was forbidden for them to cross the bridge into the United States side.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at the event that Trump's tariff policy has made relations between Canada and the US more complicated, but this bridge "demonstrates the achievements that can be made when two powerful nations work together."
He wore a red jersey of the Canadian national ice hockey team that day, to show that “Ontario will not back down from the United States.” “It’s much better for Canadians and Americans to work together than to act separately,” said Ford.
Gordie Howe Crossing is a transnational bridge that spans the Detroit River, connecting Ontario, Canada with Michigan, USA. It was named after the late Canadian ice hockey star Gordie Howe. The bridge is 2.4 kilometers long. It is scheduled to open for traffic next Monday, the 27th. At that time, it will operate 24 hours a day. After its opening, the total number of land border crossings in Canada will increase to 118.
According to the official website of the Canadian Border Services Agency, once this bridge is open to traffic, it will become Canada’s latest, largest, and most technologically advanced land border crossing. It is expected to become the largest land passage between the United States and Canada.
The bridge was constructed in 2018, with a total investment of 6.4 billion Canadian dollars from Canada (approximately 4.6 billion US dollars). The state of Michigan in the United States holds a nominal half-interest in the project, but does not bear any costs associated with its construction.
Previously, the US side made requests for profit sharing and posed tariff threats, which put the successful opening of the bridge in crisis. Subsequently, emergency talks were held between the two countries, and the Canadian side agreed to invest part of the toll profits into a regional development fund in the US over the next 15 years. As a result, both sides signed an agreement for the opening of the bridge.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the bridge, trade tensions between the United States and Canada continued to escalate. On the 20th, Trump signed several announcements imposing a 50% tariff on hundreds of specific goods imported from Canada. The Canadian government subsequently stated that due to the actions of the US side, Canada decided to cancel the invitation for US representatives to attend the joint ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Given that the United States issued trade action threats earlier this week, holding celebrations between the two countries is not appropriate at present. The statement further clarified that agreements reached on the bridge remain in effect.
Trump said that it doesn’t matter if Canada “removes the invitation” for the United States to attend the opening ceremony.
"Regarding the original agreement for this bridge, it was reached through negotiations between the previous government. It's quite terrible and is no longer valid now," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday, "We have modified the agreement terms, and now the United States will gain 50% of the profits."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that Canada will only share the road toll revenue with the US after recovering the costs.
Kanien said at a press conference on Thursday that the previous agreement between Canada and Michigan remains valid. "Under this agreement, no tolls will be shared with the United States until all debts are paid."
