Matt Hall and John James
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall and Congressman John James, both Republicans, are defending President Donald Trump’s threats to block the 2026 opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the Detroit News reports.
They argue the threat is appropriate leverage against Canada, which Trump insists needs to treat the U.S. more fairly.
Trump’s threat came on Truth Social Monday night, a posting the mayor of Windsor described as “unhinged” and riddled with disinformation.
Both Republicans say Trump’s threat is necessary to ensure Canada does not cut a trade deal with China. Canada has turned to China after Trump has threatened increasingly harsh tariffs.
“The U.S. holds a lot of the cards here,” Hall told The Detroit News on Tuesday. “And so I think they (Canada) should treat us more fairly, we should have better reciprocal trade deals with them, and I think it’s really out of bounds that they were even entertaining making this deal with China.”
Democrats on Monday pushed back against Trump, vowing to make sure the bridge opens and criticizing the president for attempting to interfere.
Under the 2012 Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement, Canada agreed to finance, build, and operate the bridge after Michigan lawmakers declined to commit money to the project. Canada will recoup its cost through tolls.
Once the costs are fully recouped, toll revenue will be shared with Michigan. The bridge is jointly owned by Canada and Michigan.
On Monday, Trump posted:
“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,” Trump wrote. “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY.”
“With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
He also went on to write:
“Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China — which will eat Canada alive. We’ll just get the leftovers! I don't think so. The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the Windsor Star:
“The post is certainly unhinged, moving from a lot of misinformation and untrue statements. Of course, U.S. steel was used in the construction of the bridge on the U.S. side. Thousands of U.S. hands went into the construction of their bridge. And this was a project that was worked on together by the U.S. and Canada through successive presidents and prime ministers over the course of almost 25 years.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed back Monday night, with her press secretary Stacey LaRouche insisting the bridge is “going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon cutting.”
