Michigan governor pushes back against Trump’s Windsor-Detroit bridge threats

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is pushing back after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge — a key trade link between Windsor and Detroit.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Whitmer stressed the bridge’s economic importance and how it was built, and noted the project used “union labor on both sides of the bridge, including Michiganders.”

She called the crossing “a really important part of our economy,” describing it as “the largest crossing in North America.”

“It is important that it continues to move forward and open up on time,” Whitmer said. “And that’s my expectation.”

Trump claimed Monday in a social media post that he would not allow the bridge to open unless the United States is “fully compensated.”

This, despite the project being jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan, with Canada funding construction and using toll revenues to recover costs.

Whitmer said she has not yet spoken directly with Trump and does not want “to put too much onto those conversations until I speak directly with the president.”

“But we are having a lot of conversations at the staff level, at the administration level, and those will continue,” she said.

Whitmer also pointed to bipartisan efforts now underway in Washington, noting Michigan’s House Speaker is currently there and “will be raising this.”

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She referenced her Republican predecessor, who negotiated the bridge agreement, and the project’s bipartisan roots.

“I’m hoping that we can bring some information to D.C. so that they understand why this has to continue to move forward,” Whitmer said.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking Windsor and Detroit, is expected to open later this year and is designed to ease congestion at the busiest trade crossing in North America.

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