Embedded Files
Article written by Avalon Stewart, Feb 10th 2026
Bridge Over Troubled Water
The Gordie Howe International Bridge
Named after the legendary hockey player, Gordie Howe, there is a bridge that has been under continued construction for years that promises to provide crossing redundancy, traffic capacity, expanded border processing and highway-to-highway connectivity that will improve the efficient and secure movement of people and goods through this key gateway. However, instead of focusing on helping further this project, Donald Trump is reportedly trying to stop it.
An aerial image of Gordie Howe International Bridge. (Courtesy of the Gordie Howe International Bridge)
Construction of the bridge officially began in June of 2018, but the first ramps were built in 2022, and the bridge and adjacent structures have continued to be constructed since then. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be located between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, with the total length spanning about 1.5 miles and is designed to have a lifespan of over 125 years. With construction close to complete, the bridge is expected to be open sometime this year.
Now, even though this bridge will benefit both the United States and Canada, the project was fully paid for by Canada, though Michigan is a partial owner. Late on Monday, Trump posted a lengthy message on social media, falsely claiming that the $4.6billion had “virtually no US content”. In his post, Trump had also claimed that Canada owns both ends of the bridge and made a bizarre assertion that increased trade between Canada and China would include a ban on Canadians playing ice hockey.
In an additional statement he wrote, “Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get – Absolutely NOTHING!”. Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday. “It’s also unacceptable that more of this bridge isn’t being built with more American-made materials”. It’s not clear how Trump would try to block the bridge, but the threat is the latest escalation of Trump’s trade war with Canada, which is Michigan’s largest international trade partner.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, stated on Tuesday that he had a positive conversation with Trump about the Gordie Howe bridge and also expressed confidence that the spat would be resolved.
Avalon Stewart
Avalon Stewart
Avalon is from Mount Vernon, Washington. She is a Freshman at Whitman College and plans to major in Psychology and Politics. In high school she competed in Speech and Debate all four years and even was state champ in Congressional Debate. She is passionate about politics and the process of delivering news that people can trust.
Lead editor for The Lamplight
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse