US President Donald Trump threatened to block the opening of a new bridge between the US and Canada, accusing the Canadian government of a lack of fairness and respect, writes LETA citing DPA.
"I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States receives full compensation for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, until Canada starts treating the United States fairly and with the respect that we deserve," Trump said on Monday on his Truth Social platform.
He also demanded that at least 50% of the Gordie Howe International Bridge over the Detroit River be owned by the US, adding that negotiations on this would begin immediately.
The bridge connects the city of Windsor in the Canadian province of Ontario with Detroit in the state of Michigan (US) and is intended for vehicular traffic across six lanes, as well as for pedestrians and cyclists. Its opening is scheduled for this year, and Canadian officials emphasize that the bridge will facilitate trade between the neighboring countries.
Trump criticized Canada for not using goods produced in the US, such as American steel, in the construction of the bridge. The US president has repeatedly expressed a desire to make Canada the 51st state of the US and recently threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the country strikes a trade deal with China.
