Democrats allege the Trump administration stalled the opening of the $4.7bn Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, as a quid pro quo for billionaire donor Matthew Moroun, who owns the nearby Ambassador Bridge. The new publicly owned bridge was initially scheduled to open in early June but faced an abrupt cancellation amid US-Canada disputes. On July 10, Canada announced a deal, setting the opening for July 27.
Bridge delay sparks accusations of political favor
US Representative Rashida Tlaib accused the Trump administration of blocking the bridge as a favor to Moroun, a prolific campaign donor who donated $1 million to a Trump PAC in January. Hours later, Trump threatened on Truth Social not to open the bridge. The delay has drawn bipartisan criticism and a House oversight committee investigation.
Canada fully funded the bridge's construction, and it will be jointly owned and operated by Michigan and Canada. The new deal requires US government approval for toll reductions below regional averages, a shift from previous Canadian control. Critics say this protects Moroun's Ambassador Bridge, which collects up to $100 per truck on 3 million annual crossings.
Ambassador Bridge congestion and safety concerns
The 93-year-old Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest international crossing, faces severe congestion, causing long delays for truckers. Many use alternative routes, and the bridge has been cited for safety violations. The Gordie Howe Bridge was envisioned to alleviate these issues but became a symbol of US-Canada friction.
Moroun's family has long opposed the new bridge, mounting multi-prong attacks and donating heavily to state and federal campaigns. In February, Moroun met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trump later demanded the US own half the project, though the US already owns half under a 2012 agreement.
Trade tensions and political fallout
The bridge dispute occurs amid broader US-Canada trade battles, including tariff issues and the USMCA deadline. Trump made outlandish claims about China and ice hockey, while Democrats use the delay as a campaign attack against Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms. Michigan Democratic Chair Curtis Hertel called it "Trump's plan to sabotage Michigan's economy," warning of higher costs and fewer jobs.
