Gordie Howe Bridge opening stalled amid US‑Canada dispute

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said Canada fully funded the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge and that the cost will be repaid through toll revenue, rejecting claims that the bridge’s opening has been delayed because of donations from the family that owns the competing Ambassador Bridge.

Hoekstra denied that a $1 million contribution from billionaire Matthew Moroun’s family to a Trump‑aligned super PAC influenced negotiations, stating the bridge’s postponement was a technical matter between the two governments. He also noted that Canada will share ownership with Michigan once its financing is recouped.

The planned ribbon‑cutting ceremony was cancelled after intervention by U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, following former President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the United States could block the bridge until fully compensated. Former Canadian officials and former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s communications chief criticized Hoekstra’s remarks as a misrepresentation of the agreement.