Canada quietly inaugurated a border bridge with the United States on its own on Friday, after cancelling a joint ceremony following this week's announcement of new US tariffs on several Canadian products. "This bridge is a testament of what we can build when we work together," Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson told a ceremony on the Canadian side of the bridge, which opens to traffic on Monday. "Our relationship has been challenged over the last few years," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said of US-Canada ties, but added: "Let's keep working together." US President Donald Trump marked the occasion with a social media post and a combative tone.
"Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS to the United States," he said in a post on Truth Social. The CAN$6.4 billion ($4.5 billion) cost of its construction, begun in 2018, was fully financed by Canada. Trump on Monday ordered a 50-percent duty on many Canadian goods to take effect in 30 days.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was looking at "all options" in response to the new levies, and that he and Trump had agreed to "intensify discussions" in upcoming weeks. Carney then faced sharp criticism following Tuesday's release of a proposed agreement on financial management of the bridge, deemed highly favorable to the US side.
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