Trump threatens to block Canadian-U.S. bridge as major trading partner turns toward China

President Trump on Monday threatened to block the opening of a bridge between Michigan and Ontario until the U.S. is given control of half of it as well as adequate compensation.

The president also slammed Canada for cozying up to China. Frustrated by Mr. Trump’s whiplash tariff policy and the rising costs they bring, Ottawa has been working to increase its trade relationship with Beijing.

Mr. Trump said China “will eat Canada alive” and “terminate all ice hockey in Canada and eliminate the Stanley Cup.” He did not offer context or evidence supporting why or how Beijing would make such a move.

Mr. Trump railed against the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, which would connect Windsor, Ontario and Detroit. The bridge is expected to open to traffic soon, once formal tests and approvals are complete.

Canada is financing the bridge with the expectation that costs will be covered by bridge tolls.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We will start negotiations immediately. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset.”

He also slammed former President Obama, who greenlighted the project during his administration. Mr. Trump said that under the deal struck by the Obama administration, no American products, including steel, were used to build the bridge.

“Now the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to permit them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get – Absolutely nothing!” Mr. Trump said.

The president’s comments are the latest broadside against Canada as tensions continue to soar between the major neighboring trading partners. Mr. Trump recently threatened to slap Canada with a 100% tariff if the country makes a trade deal with China and criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at Davos, Switzerland, in which he strongly denounced the American president.

In January, Mr. Trump also threatened to impose a 50% tariff on aircraft from Canada and to decertify new planes made there.

Mr. Trump’s Truth Social post also blasted Canada for its levies on dairy imports, calling those tariffs “unacceptable” and putting “our farmers at great financial risk.”