Canadian officials celebrated the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor despite trade tensions with the United States.
Canadian officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 24 to celebrate the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. The six-lane bridge is scheduled to open to vehicle traffic on July 27, 2026, with pedestrian and bicycle access beginning August 5. The celebration occurred during a period of strained relations between the two nations. While the bridge was intended to be a joint milestone, the ceremony featured only Canadian representatives. The administration announced a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods earlier this week, leading Canada to host a solo event. President Trump noted that Canada "disinvited" the United States to the opening, though he expressed satisfaction with the move as Canada pays substantial tariffs on U.S. exports. The administration also claimed to have renegotiated the bridge agreement so the United States will receive 50% of the profits. The bridge, which cost nearly $4.4 billion, is named for hockey legend Gordie Howe and is expected to ease congestion at the nearby Ambassador Bridge.