Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had a clarifying call with U.S. President Donald Trump amid a spat over the construction of a bridge between Ontario and Detroit.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he would not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open because he believes Canada has treated the United States unfairly in their trading relationship. He also claimed that the bridge, due to open later this year, is being built with “virtually no U.S. content” and that Canada will own both sides of it.
It was the latest eruption in fraught U.S.-Canada relations since Trump entered the White House for his second term, which has seen clashes over tariffs and trade, fentanyl trafficking, Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S., and Trump’s push to dominate the Western Hemisphere, such as his aggressive pursuit of Greenland.
Carney, speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, described his “positive conversation” with Trump.
“I explained that Canada, of course, paid for the construction of the bridge, $4 billion, that the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada, and that in the construction of the bridge, obviously there’s Canadian steel, Canadian workers, but also U.S. steel, U.S. workers that were involved,” Carney said.
“This is a great example of cooperation between our countries. Look forward to it opening. And what is particularly important, of course, is the commerce and the tourism, and the voyages of Canadians and Americans that are going across that bridge.”
Under construction since 2018, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open in 2026 along the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, the busiest commercial land border between the two countries. The Canadian government financed the project and expects to recoup the cost through tolls.
The idea of the Gordie Howe bridge was first explored by researchers in 2001. A fully outlined proposal was brought forward by Canadian lawmakers in 2009, with approval from Michigan’s leadership and the Obama administration coming in 2013.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told Canadian outlet CBC that American steel was used on the American side of the bridge and that he expected it to open. “It’s just insane, when I read that post I can’t believe what I’m reading, but it’s par for the course,” Dilkens said, reacting to Trump’s post.
Trump had lashed out at Canada on Monday evening over the bridge.
“As everyone knows, the Country of Canada has treated the United States very unfairly for decades. Now, things are turning around for the U.S.A., and FAST!” Trump wrote. “But imagine, Canada is building a massive bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They own both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built it with virtually no U.S. content.”
Trump continued that the “Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get — Absolutely NOTHING!”
“Ontario won’t even put U.S. spirits, beverages, and other alcoholic products, on their shelves, they are absolutely prohibited from doing so and now, on top of everything else, Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China — which will eat Canada alive. We’ll just get the leftovers! I don’t think so,” Trump said.
He concluded: “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve.
“We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical.”
Update 2/10/26, 11:35 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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