Canada officially opened the Gordie Howe International Bridge on Friday with a Canadian-only ceremony after trade tensions with the United States led to the cancellation of a planned cross-border celebration.
The bridge connects Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., and will open to traffic on Monday. Canadian officials, members of Gordie Howe’s family and invited guests attended the event, while U.S. officials were absent. Guests wore red and white to celebrate Canadian pride.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the bridge shows what Canada and the United States can accomplish when they work together, but added that Canada will continue to stand up for its interests as trade tensions grow.
The opening comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump also claimed the United States will receive half of the bridge’s future profits under a revised agreement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney disputed that claim, saying Canada will not share toll revenues until the bridge’s construction costs have been repaid. However, a recently released draft agreement suggests the two countries would split net bridge revenues for the first 15 years, creating uncertainty over how the deal will work.
The 2.5-kilometre bridge cost about $4.7 billion and was paid for by Canada. It is expected to speed up trade by providing another crossing over the Detroit River alongside the privately owned Ambassador Bridge. More than C$274 million worth of goods crosses between Windsor and Detroit every day.
Experts say the exact revenue-sharing agreement remains unclear, but believe both countries are trying to avoid further conflict while protecting one of the world’s most important trade relationships.
