Whitmer addresses Trump threat to stop Gordie Howe bridge opening

LANSING — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer mentioned she has not but spoken on to President Donald Trump about the potential of delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe Worldwide Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor.

Trump sharply criticized Canada in a Feb. 9 post on Truth Social and mentioned he wouldn’t permit the bridge to open with out concessions from Canada. Whitmer, chatting with reporters after an occasion in Waverly on Tuesday, Feb. 10, mentioned she has had conversations with Canadian officers about Trump’s feedback.

“I do not need to get an excessive amount of into these conversations till I’ve spoken on to the president,” Whitmer mentioned. “We’re having numerous conversations on the employees degree and on the administrative degree, and people will proceed.”

Though the bridge shall be collectively owned, Trump complained within the put up a few lack of American supplies reminiscent of metal utilized in its building and mentioned the US ought to personal at the very least half of it. Canada is paying for your complete undertaking, which is estimated to value $4.7 billion, with plans to recoup these prices over time from toll revenues.

Whitmer famous that the deal by which Canada agreed to pay the prices upfront was negotiated by her predecessor, former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican.

The bridge is predicted to open early this 12 months, becoming a member of the privately owned Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, collectively owned by the 2 cities, as a crossing for the Detroit River. It has robust help from firms on either side of the border, together with the auto trade.

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“I can’t permit this bridge to open till the US is totally compensated for all now we have given them, and in addition, most significantly, Canada treats the US with the equity and respect we deserve,” Trump wrote. In his social media put up, Trump additionally complained about Canada’s remedy of American firms and merchandise. Enterprise relations between the neighbors have been strained after Trump imposed broad tariffs on Canadian merchandise getting into the US.

Trump’s feedback sparked consternation amongst a number of Democratic lawmakers and a few enterprise teams. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney instructed reporters in Ontario on February 10 that he had spoken to Trump concerning the bridge and that “the scenario shall be resolved,” Reuters reported.

Matthew Dae Smith of the Lansing State Journal contributed.

Editor’s word: This story has been up to date to appropriate prices for the bridge undertaking.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.