U.S., Canada Delay Opening of New Bridge as Trump Raises Concerns

The US and Canada have decided to delay the opening of a new $4.7 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, which had been set to open in the coming days after US President Donald Trump earlier this year threatened to block the crossing, David Shepardson reported for Reuters.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge spans the Detroit River between the United States and Canada ahead of its delayed opening. (Photo: Gordon Howie International Bridge Facebook)

A formal ribbon-cutting had been planned for Friday for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, according to invitations seen by Reuters.

“Canada and the US have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues,” the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada agreed to delay the opening at the request of the Trump administration.

“We agreed to delay the opening and take the necessary time to resolve outstanding issues,” Carney said at an event in Toronto, without detailing what those issues were.

“For a bridge that is going to be in place and serve Canadians, Americans and others for decades, the question of a few weeks is time well spent,” he added.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said on X that while officials want to see the bridge open, “Canada need not fall on bent knee to make it happen.”

Pete Hoekstra, the US ambassador to Canada, told The Detroit News that he and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are leading discussions with Canada about opening the bridge.