New Delays Loom Over Gordie Howe International Bridge Amid Political Tensions
Recent statements from President Donald Trump have cast uncertainty over the anticipated opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. In a social media post dated February 9, Trump expressed grievances about perceived unfair treatment from Canada and suggested potential delays in the bridge’s operation.
Windsor, Ontario’s Mayor Drew Dilkens responded to these assertions, emphasizing the inaccuracies in Trump’s claims. Speaking with Michigan Public’s Stateside, Dilkens stated, “Fundamentally, I was left with the impression that he really doesn’t understand what’s happening down here and the fact that the Gordie Howe Bridge is fully constructed. It is fully connected to the interstate systems on both sides of the border. All of the ports of entry are complete and the bridge is effectively ready to open.”
Countering Trump’s remarks about the construction materials, Dilkens clarified that U.S. steel and materials were integral to the Michigan segment of the bridge, employing approximately 8,000 American workers during its construction phase.
Financially backed by Canada, the bridge’s costs will be recuperated through toll charges, with ownership shared between Michigan and Canada. Dilkens criticized Trump’s unfounded comments, stating, “He clearly was commenting without fact, which is not unusual for my observation. And certainly, it’s nonsensical.”
During Trump’s initial presidency, he had shown support for the bridge project. A joint statement with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau endorsed the bridge, and in 2019, Trump approved a $15 million fund to enhance inspection and screening systems at the bridge.
Prior to Trump’s post, The New York Times reported a meeting between U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and businessman Matthew Moroun, whose family has operated the Ambassador Bridge since 1979. This bridge, connecting Detroit and Windsor, stands to face competition from the new Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Understanding Moroun’s concerns, Dilkens remarked, “If I put myself in Matthew’s shoes and I see this government bridge going to open that’s directly connected to the interstate system on both sides of the border, I’d probably say, ‘hey, I’m going to lose a lot of my business. What can I do to try and get a delay here to continue trucks and traffic using my bridge?’ And so, you know, the move that he’s making is one that probably a lot of people would want to make if they own the same asset, and so I get it.”
Dilkens anticipates any delay caused by these developments to be minimal. He expressed skepticism about the President’s ability to significantly impede the bridge’s opening, aside from potentially withholding U.S. Customs and Border Protection resources at the border.
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