Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jul 25: US President Donald Trump has downplayed Canada's decision to cancel a joint inauguration ceremony for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, claiming that Washington had renegotiated the project's financial terms to secure a 50 per cent share of its net profits.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump reacted to the cancellation of the bipartisan event for the bridge linking Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario.

"Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial tariffs to the United States," Trump wrote. He further claimed that the agreement negotiated under a previous US administration had been replaced, adding that the United States would now receive 50 per cent of the bridge's profits.

The cancellation came amid escalating trade tensions after the United States announced an additional 50 per cent tariff on selected Canadian imports earlier this week. The new duties, targeting sectors including motor vehicles, dairy products and alcoholic beverages, are scheduled to take effect 30 days after President Trump signed the proclamations.

Responding to the tariffs, the office of Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said it would be inappropriate to proceed with a joint celebration under the current circumstances.

"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," the minister's office said in a statement.

Robertson described the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a vital infrastructure project that reflects years of cooperation and would serve as a major economic driver. He also rejected Trump's assertion that the 2012 agreement governing the bridge was no longer valid, saying the agreement remained in force.

Local leaders also expressed disappointment over the diplomatic tensions surrounding the landmark project.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said it was regrettable that relations between the two countries had reached such a point, adding that the subdued inauguration reflected the current state of US-Canada ties.

Canadian officials proceeded with an inauguration ceremony on the Windsor side on Friday to mark the completion of the multi-billion-dollar cable-stayed bridge. Representatives from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, Bridging North America and members of the Howe family attended the event.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, regarded as one of North America's most significant infrastructure projects, is scheduled to open to traffic on July 27. The six-lane crossing will provide a direct highway-to-highway connection between Ontario's Highway 401 and Michigan's Interstate 75, supporting a trade corridor that handles nearly $300 billion in annual commerce between Michigan and Ontario. The bridge also features 16 toll lanes and 60 inspection lanes shared by Canadian and US border authorities to improve the movement of commercial and passenger traffic.