President Donald Trump made it crystal clear this week: the United States will not be taken for a ride—especially not over a bridge. On Monday, Trump warned he would block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the project connecting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, unless Canada agrees to negotiate trade practices with Washington. Because apparently, “fairness” still needs a formal introduction in Ottawa.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of exploiting the United States through unfair trade policies while getting a little too comfortable with China. To bring Canada back to the negotiating table, Trump said he would not allow the bridge to open until the U.S. is “fully compensated” and treated with the “Fairness and Respect” it deserves. A simple request, really—respect shouldn’t require blueprints.
The bridge, named after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, is still under construction and is meant to link Detroit with Windsor, Ontario. But Trump pointed out that Canada pushed forward with the project using “virtually no U.S. content,” which raised serious concerns about who actually benefits from it. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t American workers.
Trump also highlighted Canada’s decision to remove U.S. alcohol products from liquor store shelves in Ontario, noting that American spirits and beverages are prohibited from being sold there. According to Trump, Canada expects the U.S. to allow them to “take advantage of America” while offering “Absolutely NOTHING” in return. Quite the business model—take everything, give nothing, and call it friendship.
The president blamed former President Barack Obama for giving Canada a waiver from the Buy American Act, which requires federal agencies to purchase materials made in the U.S. and mostly from U.S.-produced components. Trump argued that this waiver allowed Canada to avoid using American steel and other products in the bridge’s construction, leaving U.S. industry on the sidelines.
Trump also took aim at Canada’s interest in making a deal with China, warning that such a move would “eat Canada alive,” while the United States would be left with “the leftovers.” In other words, America won’t bankroll projects that strengthen China’s hand and weaken American industry. Shocking concept, right?
With negotiations set to begin immediately, Trump made it clear that the United States deserves a stake in an asset built on its border and backed by its economic strength. His message was simple: no more one-sided deals, no more empty shelves for American products, and no more pretending unfair trade is normal.
Once again, President Trump is standing up for American workers, American products, and American fairness. And if it takes stopping a bridge to build a better deal, so be it—because under Trump, America finally puts itself first, and that’s a bridge worth crossing.
