U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he could block the opening of a major bridge linking the United States and Canada unless Ottawa agrees to new trade negotiations and compensates Washington for what he claims the U.S. has already provided.

In a message posted Monday on Truth Social, Trump said he would not authorize the opening of the new cross-border bridge until the United States is “fully compensated” and treated with what he described as fairness and respect.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them,” Trump wrote, adding that Canada must engage in immediate talks with Washington.

Trump demands ownership stake in bridge.

Trump suggested that the U.S. should hold a significant ownership share in the project, arguing that access to the American market would generate massive revenue.

“With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” he said, claiming the bridge’s earnings would be “astronomical” due to U.S. trade traffic.

The comments refer to the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a long-awaited infrastructure project connecting Detroit and Windsor. Construction began in 2018, and the bridge is expected to open later this year.

Criticism of Obama-era policies

In the same post, Trump criticized former President Barack Obama, accusing his administration of granting Canada exemptions from the Buy American Act. According to Trump, those waivers allowed Canadian contractors to bypass requirements to use U.S.-made materials, including American steel.

“Now the Canadian government expects me to permit them just to take advantage of America,” Trump wrote, claiming the United States received nothing in return.

Trump targets the Canadian prime minister.

Trump also aimed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, accusing him of pursuing closer economic ties with China. In a controversial remark, Trump claimed such a move would jeopardize Canadian ice hockey, even asserting that China would eliminate the Stanley Cup—an assertion not supported by evidence.

Trade tensions and tariff dispute

The bridge dispute comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the United States and Canada. In July 2025, Trump imposed 35 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, later adding another 10 percent increase in October.

The tariffs followed Trump’s reaction to a Canadian advertisement that criticized his trade policies. Carney later apologized, saying the ad was not something he would have approved and acknowledging that Trump had been offended.

Trump publicly accepted the apology, calling the advertisement misleading and praising Carney for addressing the issue. “He did apologize, and I appreciate it,” Trump said.