(Gordie Howe International Bridge)
key takeaways:
- A US-Canada ceremony scheduled for July 24 for the Gordie Howe International Bridge was canceled after President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods.
- The bridge is a $4.4 billion project that is expected to become a major trade link, but disputes over tolls, ownership and trade have strained bilateral relations.
- Canada plans its own ceremony for July 24 and officials still aim to open the bridge on July 27, though U.S. plans remain unclear.
WASHINGTON — A planned joint U.S.-Canada ceremony celebrating the July 24 opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is no longer expected to take place after President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods.
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Announcing the tariffs, Trump accused Canada of unfairly discriminating against American automobiles, wine and dairy products, escalating tensions with one of the United States’ closest allies.
“In light of the trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to go ahead with a celebratory event between the two countries,” Jenna Ghassabeh, a spokeswoman for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, said in an emailed statement.
The move comes after US and Canadian officials reached an agreement earlier this month to open the bridge after delays caused by disagreements between the two countries.
Canada is now planning to hold its own ceremony on July 24. It is now unclear whether the United States will hold a separate ceremony.
Canadian government officials are not going to attend Friday’s joint Canada-U.S. event, the Gordie Howe Bridge ribbon cutting ceremony, because the new 50% tariffs say “it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two…” pic.twitter.com/lN5ayUXeUk
– Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) 21 July 2026
Two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said they still expect the bridge to open to traffic on July 27, but they are less certain than before.
“We are committed to opening the bridge on July 27 and celebrating this milestone among Canadians on July 24,” Ghassebeh said.
The 1.5-mile-long bridge spans the Detroit River and connects Detroit to Windsor. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was initially scheduled for June 12, but it was abruptly postponed after officials said the United States and Canada were still working to resolve “outstanding issues.”
Canada financed the construction of the bridge under an agreement that allowed it to recover costs through toll revenues. The Trump administration had demanded changes to that system.
My statement on the United States Administration’s intention to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods: pic.twitter.com/wl8JtbQjyC
– Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) 20 July 2026
The project, negotiated under former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, has been under construction since 2018 and is expected to cost approximately $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 at least half ownership of the bridge to the U.S. government and agree to other unspecified demands, part of his broader conflict with Canada on trade.
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This week those tensions resurfaced. The White House said the tariffs would take effect in 30 days, leaving time for negotiations. Trump has previously delayed or backed off 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 is ready to negotiate with the Trump administration.
The tariffs could escalate into a broader trade war as Canada considers how to respond.
“If these tariffs go forward, Canada must respond with tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted on social media.
