Feb. 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of a Canada-funded bridge linking Ontario with Michigan, saying the United States must be "fully compensated for everything we have given them."
Trump issued the threat via his Truth Social platform on Monday evening, targeting the long-planned, $4.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is expected to open later this year along the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, the busiest commercial land border between the two countries and a critical North American auto manufacturing artery.
"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," he said, declaring that unspecified negotiations would start "IMMEDIATELY."
It was unclear what compensation Trump was seeking from Canada or what legal authority he would have to block the opening of the Ottawa-financed bridge.
The threat follows repeated criticism by Trump of Canada's effort to deepen economic ties with China as it seeks to lessen its dependency on the United States amid their fracturing relationship.
