Canada and the United States are expected to settle their dispute over the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Carney confirmed he spoke with US President Donald Trump earlier in the day on a range of issues, including the contentious bridge project.
“The situation will be settled,” Carney said, without providing further details on the timeline or terms of the resolution.
The dispute escalated after Trump threatened to block the opening of the bridge, citing multiple trade-related grievances with Canada. These included Canada’s financing of the bridge, its refusal to stock certain US alcoholic beverages on Canadian store shelves, tariffs on dairy products, and ongoing trade discussions with China.
Trump also suggested the bridge would be fully owned by Canada, a claim Carney quickly corrected.
“I explained that Canada, of course, paid for the construction of the bridge, over $4 billion. That the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada,” Carney said.
The bridge, financed entirely by Canada after US authorities declined to contribute, is slated to open in the coming months. Its construction costs will be recouped through tolls over the next 30 years.
Michigan business leaders have warned of the potential economic fallout if the project were delayed or blocked. The Detroit Regional Chamber described the bridge as “the most consequential infrastructure project in the state and region of this generation.”
“Any effort to block this project would have tremendous consequences for the region, state, and country,” the Chamber added.
The project dates back to 2012 when then-Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan accepted Canada’s offer to fund the majority of the bridge costs, bypassing the state legislature through executive authority. Construction began six years later, in 2018.
In a further boost to the project, the US Department of Homeland Security officially designated the bridge a port of entry on January 30. Authorities say the bridge will save travellers an estimated $12.7 million annually by reducing congestion, easing traffic flows, and cutting travel times.
Boluwatife Enome
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