Prime Minister Mark Carney said he “explained” to U.S. President Donald Trump that while Canada paid for the Gordie Howe International Bridge that Trump is threatening to bar from opening, its ownership is shared and construction involved U.S. steel and workers.
“We discussed the bridge. I explained that Canada paid for the construction of the bridge — $6.4 billion — that the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the Government of Canada,” Carney told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting Tuesday.
Carney said he had a “positive conversation” with Trump.
Carney’s comments came after Trump said Monday he will block the opening of the new bridge and trade route connecting Ontario and Michigan until the United States is “compensated for everything we have given” Canada.
A White House official said on background that it was “unacceptable” for Trump that Canada owns the bridge “fully,” even though Carney has clarified that Michigan will have shared ownership of the bridge.
“The President believes that the United States should own at least half of the bridge, have shared authority over what passes across it, and participates in the economic benefits generated by its use,” the White House official said.
The official said the Ambassador Bridge “already connects the U.S. and Canada just miles away from the Gordie Howe Bridge.”
“This is just another example of President Trump putting America’s interests first, and so he made that very clear in his call with Prime Minister Carney earlier today,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social website, Trump called for immediate negotiations over the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., saying he would seek U.S. ownership of “at least one half of this asset.”
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The post also claimed no U.S. steel was used in the construction, a claim repeated by Leavitt on Tuesday.
Carney said U.S. content and workers were used in the making of the bridge.
“In the construction of the bridge — obviously there’s Canadian steel and workers — but also U.S. steel and U.S. workers were involved. This is a great example of co-operation between our countries. We look forward to it opening,” he said.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the Canadian Crown corporation that is overseeing construction of the project, told Global News the bridge remains on track to open early this year.
“The development of the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been underway since 2000 with representatives from U.S. and Canadian federal, Michigan, and Ontario governments collaborating to optimize the movement of people and goods through the critical Windsor-Detroit trade corridor,” the authority said in a statement.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is bringing significant economic benefit across North America by encouraging investment, helping to maintain and create thousands of jobs, and generating new business and tourism opportunities.”
The authority said last week that major construction is complete and that testing is underway.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday he is “very confident this bridge is going to open.” He made multiple appearances on American news networks making the case for the economic benefits the new bridge will bring.
“I find it ironic that the president back in 2017 endorsed it and fast-tracked the project,” he told CBS News. “He was all in favour of it. This is going to be very, very beneficial for both sides of the border, especially for the people of Michigan.
“This is all about politics, it’s not about facts. It’s unfortunate that he (Trump) doesn’t have the facts, and I’d be more than happy to give him the facts.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the bridge would be good for jobs in her state.
“This is the busiest trade crossing in North America. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is all about jobs. It’s good for Michigan workers and it’s good for Michigan’s auto industry,” she said in a statement.
She added that union construction workers from both sides of the border were involved in construction and that the bridge will be operated under a joint ownership agreement between Michigan and Canada.
“This project has been a tremendous example of bipartisan and international cooperation. It’s going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon cutting,” Whitmer added.
The Detroit Regional Chamber said the bridge “would not have been possible without the partnership of the Canadian government.”
“Canada is more than a neighbor; it is critical to our economic future. There is no greater example of that than the international bridge,” Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber said in a statement.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Trump’s threat is “just insane.”
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge has come to life over the course of 25 years, with successive U.S. presidents and Canadian prime ministers involved in the work to get this bridge constructed,” he posted on social media.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Canada was taking Trump’s concerns seriously and that she was confident the two sides would be able to work through this.
“When President Trump talks, we listen,” Joly said Tuesday.
“I’m convinced that we will be able to work this through.”
Michigan’s Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell called on Trump to stop taking “cheap shots” at Canada, “our friend and ally.”
“This border is the busiest crossing between our two countries, and has been critical for not only Michigan jobs but also American jobs. Not to mention Canada paid for this bridge,” she said.
“This bridge was negotiated by a Republican Governor, and in 2017 Trump endorsed the bridge calling it a ‘vital economic link between our two countries’. Nothing has changed,” Dingell added.
The state’s Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin said cancelling the project will result in “higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains, and ultimately, fewer jobs.”
“The President’s agenda for personal retribution should not come before what’s best for us. Canada is our friend — not our enemy. And I will do everything in my power to get this critical project back on track,” she said.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said Trump’s move to block the bridge would be “a self-defeating move.”
“The Trump administration was right in 2017 in its joint statement that endorsed the bridge as a priority project, calling it a ‘vital economic link between our two countries.’ Modern border infrastructure strengthens shared economic security. The path forward isn’t deconstructing established trade corridors, it’s actually building bridges,” said Candaice Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
–with files from Global’s Reggie Cecchini and Sean Boynton
Ok so Matty, Howard and Donnie are all worth around 3b. We get it. (Birds of a feather…) however Carney needs to quit behaving like a pet poodle when discussing almost anything with this amateur.
hello nice to see
That’s because I bit it off yesterday, Roy.
Something is wrong. I thought I only had Micropenis, but today it’s not even visible even with the new magnifying specs.
So, let’s see, Canada paid for the whole thing but we have joined ownership. Hmm …
Ms Joly should quit listening to the toddler and his tantrums.
In fact, Carney should be discussing how the US should pay for their 1/2 of the bridge, if they want any control over it. Pony up the billions…
The world is sick of Trump and u.s.
I have a confession to make everyone. I’m gay with Trevor Doesmoto. Omg I feel so much better. Thanks everyone
White people are the problem with this country. Especially if they’re from Alberta
Awww look the white nationalist/seperatist Conservatives are whining because they can’t spread their hate on global anymore. Too funny
Are only certain comments being allowed to remain in the comments section by AI ? Is AI filtering out criticisms of Carney and the Liberals? One has to wonder if this is soft censorship by Global.
My fellow Canadians you have been well and truly duped by Carney. Now that reality is setting in please reconsider next time you vote.
Idiot Canadians that elected this fool should be ashamed they got raped by reality and not only did they take it they voted for it.
We’re not allowed to project our personal opinion in our stories (unless the article is identified as such), but I can tell you now in these comments section, you’ve really strung up your own rope on the tree by electing this man, Canada.
If you think I’ve ever done anything good for you Canadians, I’ve got a bridge to sell you lol.
Any details, Carney?
Good conversation? Yeah right gave in to some demands for sure and likely thought who cares its just Canadians and the idiots that voted for me…..I have 2 other passports and when I am done wrecking this place I will be richer and move on.
Come to think of it, he really does tend to get what he wants. We’re screwed.
Then again I don’t exactly know what I’m taking about. Ever.
That’s because Trump is a coward. He’s all talk but when it comes down to it he always backs down
I wonder what Carney’s blood pressure is like after one of those calls. I don’t know if he has grandchildren – if he doesn’t, this is good training for him – no doubt, his grandkids will be easier to handle.
Child rapists don’t get a say in what happens in Canada!
So now we can get back to focusing on the files for the Epsteinth time?
Carney is useless as always.
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I guess PM Harper saw this comng when he called this the Gordie (mr. elbows) Howe bridge. Detroiters themselves would not stand for this. They’ve loved Windsorites for 200 years. Best border anywhere, until trump.
Carney says… but what Carney really do besides putting his elbows up? Carney says… but do Carney talk?
It’s getting worse and worse since the elections. No light at the end of the tunnel. We are doomed.
Sorry, meant to say will ‘not’ change.
Eileen, you don’t get it. Trump will change and no PM is going to stop Trump to slamming us – that is how he negotiates. The only was the Cons would appease Trump is by selling out to him and becoming a state. Poilievre has neither the political skill nor intelligence to navigate anything – he is all air and hair wax.
Carney never has had good conversations with trump even though he says he has but yet nothing to prove it as trump continues to slam canada.please never vote liberals again