Canadian officials celebrated the ceremonial opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Michigan to Canada on Friday, a long-awaited ceremony delayed after Washington and Ottawa took time to settle “outstanding issues” related to toll sharing.The 1.5-mile-long crossing connecting Detroit and Ontario will open for motorist crossings on July 27, and cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross beginning Aug. 5.The opening ceremony on Friday was strictly for Canadians, as President Donald Trump and other White House officials were disinvited after the president imposed new 50% tariffs on Canada, a move in response to Canada’s retaliatory duties on American cars, alcohol, and cheese. Canadian planners even moved the ceremony from the international border line in the center of the bridge to an inspection area of the Canada Border Services Agency.
During the ceremony, Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted the tumultuous relationship between Canada and Trump, calling it “challenging.”“Ontario will be ready to respond to any new American tariffs,” Ford said. “We will not back down, and will negotiate from a position of strength as a top trading partner, more than half of the United States, because I know that both Canadians and Americans are better off when we work together instead of standing apart.”Despite repeated delays and public clashes with the Trump administration, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said there is “no big drama” between Washington and Ottawa, and voiced optimism that the bridge would be beneficial for both countries.The ribbon-cutting ceremony was originally scheduled for June 12 but was postponed to allow Washington and Ottawa time to sit down and iron out a dispute.The bridge has been under construction since 2018, when then-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, brokered the deal with Canada, which agreed to finance the $4.4 billion bridge.Earlier this month, Trump touted that he had secured a “much better deal” while the opening was postponed. He had bemoaned in February that Canada was “taking advantage” of the U.S. and threatened to block its opening until the U.S. was “fully compensated.”Carney said Canada would only split toll revenues after being repaid for the bridge’s construction, but according to a draft agreement released on Wednesday, Canada will split net bridge and crossing-related revenues with the U.S. for the first 15 years, with no explicit provision that it be compensated first.Trump again championed his deal during the opening ceremony on Friday, claiming the terms had been changed “so that the United States of America now gets 50% of the Profit.” The president also said it was “fine” he was uninvited to the ceremony because Canada is now paying “substantial” tariffs.After Trump’s entering the bridge debacle in February, the crossing found itself uniquely positioned in Michigan’s highly contested Senate race. Trump-backed candidate Mike Rogers has taken a similar position to the president on the bridge, saying it will cost the U.S. nothing to further delay the opening to get a better deal for the public.“The president is trying to get the best deal for American workers,” Rogers said in February. “I don’t know why we would stand in the way from that so we can get more Chinese cars driving across that bridge. It doesn’t make any sense to me. So I give him all the leash he needs. I think we’re going to get a good deal at the end of the day.”Democratic candidates responded to Rogers’s statement, with Rep. Haley Stevens framing it as blindly following Trump. Progressive candidate Abdul el Sayed said Rogers’ push to keep using the Ambassador Bridge reflects his alignment with the billionaire class, as the rival bridge is owned by the Moroun family. Rogers has argued the Ambassador Bridge “pays taxes,” and is more beneficial to the U.S.TRUMP TO IMPOSE 50% TARIFFS ON CANADA IN RESPONSE TO RETALIATORY DUTIESThe bridge is named after the late Hall of Fame hockey player Gordie Howe, who spent 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. It will be the second bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario.“This bridge is named in Gordie Howe’s honor, he was a symbol of cooperation and success in both our countries, and he was an absolute champion with deep roots on both sides of the border,” Ford said during the ceremony.
