US President blocks opening of Canada’s Gordie Howe International Bridge

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered that the newly completed Gordie Howe International Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, remain closed despite being ready for operation. The bridge, funded by Canada and built by Canadian workers and companies, was scheduled to open three weeks ago but stays shut following the president’s directive.

The decision, viewed by commentators as unprecedented in post‑World War II U.S.–Canada relations, follows a $1 million donation to a pro‑Trump group by Matthew Moroun, owner of the nearby Ambassador Bridge. Critics argue the move undermines Canadian sovereignty and threatens upcoming trade negotiations, raising concerns about political influence over critical cross‑border infrastructure.