Overview
- On Tuesday, the federal government said it would not attend a joint U.S.-Canada ribbon-cutting for the Gordie Howe International Bridge because President Trump's 50% tariff threat made a joint celebration inappropriate.
- Ottawa confirmed it will hold a Canada-only ceremony on July 24 and still plans to open the bridge to vehicle traffic on July 27 with pedestrian and cyclist access to follow in early August.
- The Government of Canada posted the text of a proposed 'agreement in principle' that requires Canada to transfer half of the bridge's 'net' revenues for the first 15 years into a United States-controlled economic development fund.
- The released deal text gives the U.S. a role in toll-setting and does not explicitly state that Canada may use those revenues first to repay construction debt, a difference from the prime minister's earlier public description that has drawn demands for more transparency.
- The dispute reflects deeper pressure from U.S. officials and lobbying by the owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, and it raises oversight questions for Parliament, possible trade responses, and uncertainty for businesses that rely on the Windsor-Detroit corridor.