Canada cancels joint ceremony for Gordie Howe Bridge amid US tariff announcement

Canada announced that it will conduct a separate ceremony on Friday to mark the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, after the United States abandoned a joint celebration. The change follows President Donald Trump's declaration of a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods, which he said was in response to perceived discrimination against U.S. automobiles, alcohol and dairy.

"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 Jenna Ghassabeh, spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, in an emailed statement.

U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that the bridge is still expected to open to traffic on July 27, though they expressed less certainty than earlier. Ghassabeh added that Canada remains committed to celebrating the milestone on July 24.

The 1.5-mile (2.4-km) span over the Detroit River, linking Detroit and Windsor, had been slated for a ribbon-cutting on June 12 but was postponed amid unresolved issues. Canada financed the project and will recoup costs through tolls, a financing model the Trump administration had previously sought to modify.

The bridge, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe, has been under construction since 2018 at a cost of about $4.4 billion and is expected to become a major trade corridor. Earlier this year, President Trump demanded partial U.S. ownership of the bridge and other concessions, heightening trade tensions that resurfaced with the recent tariff announcement. Justin Trudeau reiterated support for free and fair trade and indicated willingness to negotiate, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned of reciprocal tariff measures if the U.S. proceeds.