Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeNewsEconomyGordie Howe bridge a factor in CUSMA review but not key to outcome, head of auto parts industry group saysCanada should take its time to secure the strongest possible agreement with the U.S., say officials You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The Gordie Howe International Bridge, yet to open, is seen on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Photo by Taylor Campbell/Windsor StarThe delayed opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge has become caught up in the broader cross-border trade dispute, but the leader of the Canadian auto parts industry says the crossing ultimately won’t decide the outcome of the forthcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorAutomotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) president Flavio Volpe said the U.S. administration is using the bridge as leverage in the negotiations, but it’s “not core” to the discussions, so Canada shouldn’t make a deal just to have short-term relief.“That bridge will be operating beyond the lives of our grandchildren, and it’s important that we have that asset without hindrances going forward,” he said during an event held at the University of Windsor’s Greenshield Hall Wednesday to unveil the new Innovation District in the city’s core. “It’s not open now, so to say we’re not going to open it, is it going to stop a shipment like the Ambassador Bridge blockade did? Temperatures are pretty low on something that is pretty loud.”SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againVolpe is one of 24 members on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations that was created to help prepare for the CUSMA review.There’s no advocacy that’s going to get us out of the tariffs completelyU.S. manufacturers have their own reasons for wanting the bridge open, Volpe said, pointing out that companies south of the border ship roughly $100-million worth of vehicles and auto parts through the Windsor-Detroit corridor every day. He expects those businesses to pressure the U.S. government to open the crossing.He said he’s also optimistic that both countries are heading toward an agreement, even if talks continue into the fall.“I’m bullish on this,” he said. “We’re on our way to a deal that works and it probably is September, October, but if there are some surprises, maybe it goes past the midterms, or maybe it happens before the midterms. My real surprise is if we don’t have a deal.”Volpe said any future agreement could involve bilateral arrangements between Canada and the U.S. rather than a full reopening of CUSMA.“You shouldn’t take from that that the CUSMA is devolved,” he said. “You should take from that that the White House is using the leverage it has in trade issues to wrap everything else in those moments.” The Gordie Howe International Bridge is shown from Windsor on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Dan JanisseEither way, he said tariffs will likely remain for the foreseeable future.“Advocacy does work; you just got to pick your spots,” he said. “There’s no advocacy that’s going to get us out of the tariffs completely.”Asked whether the U.S. midterm elections in November could alter President Donald Trump’s approach to trade, Volpe said he was skeptical.Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce president Ryan Donally also said Canada should take its time to secure the strongest possible agreement with the U.S., but he thinks the Gordie Howe bridge may weigh into the CUSMA review. “I would expect that the resolution and the opening of that bridge will probably align with whatever happens with the broader relationship,” he said.Whatever the outcome of the CUSMA review, Donally said it is vitally “important to the overall Windsor-Essex economy” because of the region’s dependence on exports to the U.S.Windsor-area businesses traded approximately $31.2-billion worth of goods with the U.S. in 2023, including $16.8 billion in exports.Donally said there is now an opportunity for the region to diversify its manufacturing capabilities and imagine its economic future in a new trade environment.“Windsor-Essex is not just a border community; it’s one of the beating hearts of North American trade,” Patrick Gill, Canadian Chamber of Commerce business data lab vice-president, said. “More than $31 billion in two-way goods trade with the U.S. shows just how deeply this region is wired into continental supply chains.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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