Canada-US Bridge Dispute: PM Carney Confirms Resolution Talks with President Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly addressed the escalating diplomatic row with the United States over the Gordie Howe International Bridge, confirming that direct discussions with President Donald Trump are underway to find a resolution. The dispute centers on ownership and compensation claims that have threatened to delay the bridge's highly anticipated opening.
Carney's Assurance of Resolution
Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed he had engaged in a morning conversation with President Trump specifically concerning the bridge controversy. "I spoke to the president this morning. Regarding the bridge, the situation is going to be resolved," Carney stated emphatically, though he opted not to disclose specific details about their discussion or any potential compromise.
Carney further clarified the existing financial and ownership structure of the infrastructure project, emphasizing Canada's substantial investment. "I explained that Canada, of course, paid for the construction of the bridge; that the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada," he told the press corps. He also countered claims about the project's supply chain, noting, "There's Canadian steel, Canadian workers, but also US steel, US workers that were involved."
Trump's Demands and Threats
The controversy ignited after President Trump used social media late Monday to assert that the United States deserved greater ownership of the bridge and threatened to prevent its operational launch. "I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them," Trump declared, adding that Canada must treat the US with "Fairness and Respect."
Trump's posts outlined aggressive negotiation terms, demanding immediate talks and proposing significant US ownership. "We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset," he wrote. The president also made unsubstantiated allegations that Canada used "virtually" no American products during the bridge's construction, a claim directly contradicted by Prime Minister Carney's statements.
White House Backs Trump's Stance
The White House firmly supported President Trump's position on Tuesday, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defending his approach as putting American interests first. Leavitt articulated the administration's core grievance, stating, "The fact that Canada will control what crosses the Gordie Howe bridge and owns the land on both sides is unacceptable to the president." This official backing underscores the seriousness with which the Trump administration views the ownership and operational control issues.
Background of the Gordie Howe International Bridge
The $4.7-billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, a six-lane structure connecting Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan, represents one of the most significant binational infrastructure projects in recent history. Construction commenced in 2018, with the bridge named in honor of Canadian-born hockey legend Gordie Howe, who achieved iconic status playing for the Detroit Red Wings. Originally conceived as a powerful symbol of unity and cooperation between the two nations, the bridge is now entangled in diplomatic friction just as it approaches its scheduled opening this year.
Broader Context of Canada-US Trade Tensions
This bridge dispute occurs against a backdrop of persistent trade and diplomatic tensions between Washington and Ottawa. In recent months, President Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on Canadian goods following Prime Minister Carney's diplomatic visit to Beijing, where a preliminary trade agreement with China was secured. Earlier, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney had warned of a "rupture" in the US-led global governance system—a thinly veiled reference to the disruptive policies championed by the Trump administration.
As negotiations over the Gordie Howe International Bridge continue, the structure remains in its final testing and approval phase before it can open to traffic. The resolution of this dispute will not only determine the operational future of a critical transportation link but also signal the state of Canada-US relations under the current leadership.
