Canada cancels joint bridge-opening event with US after Trump announces
tariffs
[July 22, 2026]
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI
WASHINGTON (AP) — A planned joint U.S.-Canada ceremony Friday
celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge
connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is no longer expected to take
place after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on most
Canadian goods.
In announcing the tariffs, Trump accused Canada of unfairly
discriminating against U.S. automobiles, alcohol and dairy products,
escalating tensions with one of the United States’ closest allies.
“In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this
week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event
between the two countries,” said Jenna Ghassabeh, a spokesperson for
Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, in an emailed
statement.
The move came after U.S. and Canadian officials reached an agreement
earlier this month to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge
following delays tied to disagreements between the two countries.
Canada now plans to hold its own ceremony Friday. It is now unclear
whether the United States will hold a separate ceremony.
Two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss
internal deliberations said they still expect the bridge to open to
traffic July 27 but are less certain than they were before.
"We remain committed to opening the bridge on July 27th, and to
celebrating this milestone among Canadians on July 24th," said Ghassabeh.
The 1.5-mile-long (2.4-kilometer-long) bridge spans the Detroit River
and connects Detroit with Windsor. A ribbon-cutting ceremony had
initially been scheduled for June 12 but was abruptly postponed after
officials said the United States and Canada were still working to
resolve “outstanding issues.”
Canada financed construction of the bridge under an agreement allowing
it to recover the cost through toll revenue. The Trump administration
had sought changes to that arrangement.
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The Gordie Howe International Bridge is seen from River Rouge,
Mich., connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, Tuesday, July 14,
2026, (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The project, negotiated under former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, has been
under construction since 2018 and cost nearly $4.4 billion.
The bridge is named after Canadian hockey great Gordie Howe, who spent
25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. It is expected to become another
major economic artery between Canada and the United States.
In February, Trump demanded in a social media post that Canada give the
U.S. government at least half ownership of the bridge and agree to other
unspecified demands, part of his broader clashes with Canada over trade.
Those tensions resurfaced this week. The White House said the tariffs
would take effect in 30 days, leaving time for negotiations. Trump has
previously delayed or backed away from some threatened import taxes.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement about the
tariffs that his government believes in the “benefits of free and fair
trade” and remains prepared to negotiate with the Trump administration.
The tariffs could escalate into a broader trade war as Canada weighs how
to respond.
“If these tariffs proceed, Canada should respond tariff for tariff,
dollar for dollar,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted on social media.
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