WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) — Canada on Friday celebrated the completion of a new bridge to the U.S. over the Detroit River, cutting a ceremonial ribbon on a multibillion-dollar, multiyear project that will serve as a critical path for trade, jobs and tourism between the countries.As the six-lane Gordie Howe International Bridge dominated the skyline behind them, officials lined up in Windsor, Ontario, to hail what one described as “one of the most significant infrastructure achievements in Canada's history.” The bridge opens to traffic on Monday.“Some days are remembered because they mark the end of a journey. Others are remembered because they mark the beginning of something entirely new.
Today is both,” said Chuck Andary, interim CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which will operate the bridge.Missing from the event: U.S. Canada scratched a joint gathering after President Donald Trump this week suddenly announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S. A soloist sang the national anthem, “O Canada,” but the U.S.
anthem was not performed.“Our relationship has been challenged over the last few years, and President Trump is threatening tariffs just this month. But team Canada has never been more united,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford told the crowd, which applauded at times during his defense of the country.Bridges are critical to moving goods between countriesMore than 70% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., making America its largest trade partner, and Detroit is the No. 1 port for truck traffic on the U.S.-Canada border, according to the U.S.
Department of Transportation.The Howe bridge will instantly create competition. For nearly a century, the privately owned Ambassador Bridge has been the only route for large commercial trucks moving between the U.S. Businesses say the new span will be faster and less expensive.The bridge is named for Howe, a Canadian icon — “Mr.
Hockey” — who played on the other side of the Detroit River for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. Ford and Mark Wiseman, the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., wore hockey sweaters with Howe's No. 9.Trump didn't attend, but his role was feltWindsor Mayor Drew Dilkens repeatedly praised Howe and appeared to take a subtle dig at Trump.
Murray Howe to ask who might be his father's target these … President Trump said Friday it was “fine” that Canada excluded the U.S. from its ceremony marking the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge after the Trump administration threatened a 50 percent tariff on certain Canadian imports.
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