Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered a major update, announcing that the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a project President Trump had previously threatened to block, is now set to open, as reported by The Hill. This is a huge win for infrastructure and international cooperation, especially after the president’s strong stance.
During her Michigan State of the State address, Governor Whitmer declared, “For the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, will open.” It’s pretty awesome to see a project of this magnitude moving forward, especially since it’s such a vital link between the two countries.
Just earlier this month, President Trump had made it clear he wasn’t happy with the bridge’s progress. He threatened to prevent its opening unless the U.S.’s northern neighbors entered into new trade talks and met his demands. “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” President Trump stated.
It’s not the first time President Trump has ruffled feathers with Canada
This bridge is a really big deal. Construction on the massive project began back in 2018, and it’s expected to be ready to open later this year. It’s not just a physical connection, but a symbol of the economic and cultural ties between Michigan and Ontario.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney quickly responded to President Trump’s earlier threat, saying he had a “positive” conversation with the president. Prime Minister Carney clarified Canada’s significant role in the project, stating, “We discussed the bridge. I explained that Canada, of course, paid for the construction of the bridge, over $4 billion, that the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada and that in the construction of the bridge — obviously there’s Canadian steel, Canadian workers — but also U.S. steel, U.S. workers that are involved. This is a great example of cooperation between our countries.”
In recent years, he’s talked about Canada being a part of the U.S. and implemented tariff policies, which has definitely put a strain on what has historically been a very warm relationship between the two North American neighbors.
So, Governor Whitmer’s announcement is a pretty significant moment, signaling that this crucial infrastructure project is moving forward despite the political tensions.
Published: Feb 26, 2026 11:30 am