President Trump threatened on Monday to block the opening of a new bridge between the United States and Canada if Canadian officials did not address a long and growing list of grievances, heightening diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Amid a trade war and a deepening rift between the United States and its northern neighbor, Trump said he "will not allow" the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, scheduled to open early this year, connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, "unless the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them and, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect that we deserve."
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the country's largest business lobby, condemned Trump's threat in a statement, writing "Whether it is true or simply a threat made to maintain a high level of uncertainty - blocking or blocking bridges is a self-defeating move."
It's unclear how Trump will stop the opening of the bridge. Construction of the bridge is being funded by Canada, with Michigan having partial ownership under a public-private partnership arrangement in which Canada and Michigan jointly operate the crossing.
One possible avenue is for Trump to declare a state of emergency. Under the law, Customs and Border Protection can temporarily close ports of entry "when necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national interests." Trump has repeatedly used emergency laws to gain greater authority in the past, citing events or circumstances that would normally be considered routine.
The nearby Ambassador Bridge, one of the continent's busiest border crossings, has been privately owned for decades by the Moron family, Detroit's trucking billionaires. The family has previously called on Trump to halt construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge - which, once opened, would compete with the Ambassador Bridge for more than $300 million in daily cross-border trade.
Trump also suggested in a social media post on Monday that the United States may seek to take ownership of "at least half" of the new bridge and receive a share of the bridge's toll revenue.
During his first term, Trump promoted the project in a joint statement with Canadian officials as a symbol of the two countries' deep economic partnership and "the vital economic bond between our two countries."
But Trump's threat to block the bridge's opening is part of a larger pressure campaign aimed at forcing the Canadian government to give in to his demands. In addition to threatening to annex Canada as the 51st state, Trump has launched a broad trade war with its northern neighbor, imposing tariffs and threatening other economic sanctions.
Trump may not follow through on his threat to block the bridge, or he may take less drastic action to avoid the worst economic consequences. Trump has previously delayed or rolled back tariffs that could disrupt U.S. trade and weaken domestic industry.
Trump made a similarly alarming statement last month and appeared to threaten to ground all Canadian-made planes currently flying in the U.S. over a regulatory dispute, but aviation industry regulators quickly clarified that his statement only applied to new aircraft certification and that air travel would not be disrupted by Trump's threat.
Trump's attacks on Canada increased in intensity after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month. In his speech, Carney urged leaders of mid-sized countries to unite and resist Trump's "America First" doctrine and his efforts to dismantle the post-World War II international order.
Carney's office declined to comment on Trump's threat to block the bridge's opening. Stacey LaRouche, a spokesperson for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, downplayed Trump's threat, saying in a statement that the bridge "will open regardless and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony."
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Monday night he was shocked but not surprised by Trump's threats. "It's crazy," Dilkens said. He added that delays in opening the bridge last fall raised concerns about the Trump administration's involvement.