Canada cancels joint bridge celebration with US over Trump threats

Canada has canceled a planned joint celebration with the United States for the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, citing trade threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Jenna Ghassabeh, spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, said the celebration would no longer proceed because of recent trade actions threatened by the United States.

"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," Ghassabeh said in an emailed statement.

The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on July 27. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was planned for July 24, with officials from both Canada and the U.S. expected to attend, according to Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Canada remains committed to opening the bridge as scheduled but will hold a separate celebration with Canadians on July 24 instead, Ghassabeh said.

The decision comes after Trump announced a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian imports on Monday, citing what the U.S. administration described as unfair treatment of American-made vehicles, alcohol, and dairy products.

The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after legendary Detroit Red Wings hockey player Gordie Howe, was originally expected to open in June. In February, Trump threatened to block the project, pointing to disputes over Canada's restrictions on U.S. alcoholic beverages, dairy tariffs, and trade discussions with China.

The bridge project moved forward after the United States and Canada reached an agreement on toll arrangements earlier this month.

Once opened, the new bridge is expected to reduce congestion at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, which is the busiest commercial crossing along the U.S.-Canada border. The Ambassador Bridge handled $126 billion worth of trade carried by commercial trucks in 2023.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to strengthen trade connections between Canada and the United States despite ongoing tensions over tariffs and economic policies.

-Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by David Gregorio/Reuters