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Or sign-in if you have an account.Workers are shown at the Gordie Howe International Bridge on the Detroit side on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Dan Janisse /The Windsor StarThe Canadian government has withdrawn from Friday’s planned ribbon-cutting ceremony with U.S. officials for the Gordie Howe International Bridge amid escalating trade tensions.Subscribe now to read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 AccountorCanadian officials will celebrate the long-awaited bridge opening on Friday. They just don’t plan to do it with the Americans.“Gordie Howe was known for kindness, respect and his tenacity to win,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the Star Tuesday night. “Even though the celebration of the Gordie Howe Bridge opening will not be as robust as any of us would have hoped, I remain committed to celebrating the long-term positive impact this new border crossing will have on our regional economy for generations to come. Canadians will continue to follow the example shown by Gordie Howe and we hope everyone would aspire to demonstrate the ideals he represents.”A spokesperson for Gregor Robertson, the federal minister of Housing and Infrastructure Canada, told the National Post late Tuesday afternoon that the government “remains committed” to the bridge opening to vehicle traffic on July 27.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. 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Please try again“The Gordie Howe International Bridge remains a vital infrastructure project that reflects years of hard work and will be a major economic driver in the region, expanding options for commuters, tourists, businesses, and families,” Jenna Ghassabeh said in a statement to the National Post.But the government said it would not join U.S. officials in what was previously expected to be an international celebration.The rebuff comes after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his trade war against Canada on Monday by signing an executive order to impose new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian products starting Aug. 19.“In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries,” said Ghassabeh.The ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday follows a series of twists and turns.The long-awaited opening of the bridge came into doubt in February after Trump threatened to block it unless Canada, which paid for the $6.4-billion project, agreed to a renegotiated deal.In early June, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the bridge would open within days.Dilkens and other officials received invitations to a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 12. That event was postponed after the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said both counties needed time to resolve “outstanding issues.”The Canadian government then confirmed July 10 that the span between Windsor and Detroit will open July 27, “with the support of the United States Government.”A ribbon-cutting ceremony was set for July 24.Then on Monday, Trump signed his executive order to impose new 50 per cent tariffs against Canada. If they go ahead, the tariffs will hit goods previously exempted under the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).The latest attack is a response to what the U.S. government calls Canada’s discriminatory trade practices, including tariffs on American autos that don’t qualify for CUSMA, dairy import limits and U.S. alcohol bans in some provinces.The provincial bans on American alcohol, including the Ontario boycott that began in March 25, was a response to Trump’s initial tariffs earlier that year and his repeated threats to annex Canada. 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