Canada Cancels 'Celebratory' Bridge-Opening Event With US

A planned joint US-Canada ceremony Friday celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is no longer expected to take place after President Trump announced a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods. In announcing the tariffs, Trump accused Canada of unfairly discriminating against US automobiles, alcohol, and dairy products, escalating tensions with one of the United States' closest allies, reports the AP. The key line:

• "In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries," said a rep for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson in an emailed statement.

Canada now plans to hold its own ceremony Friday. It is now unclear whether the United States will hold a separate ceremony. Two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations said they still expect the 1.5-mile-long bridge over the Detroit River to open to traffic July 27 but are less certain than they were before.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony had initially been scheduled for June 12 but was abruptly postponed after officials said the United States and Canada were still working to resolve "outstanding issues." Canada financed construction of the bridge under an agreement allowing it to recover the cost through toll revenue. The Trump administration had sought changes to that arrangement. The project, negotiated under former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, has been under construction since 2018 and cost nearly $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 the US government at least half ownership of the bridge and agree to other unspecified demands, part of his broader clashes with Canada over trade. Those tensions resurfaced this week. The White House said the tariffs would take effect in 30 days, leaving time for negotiations. Trump has previously delayed or backed away from some threatened import taxes.