Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 10: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to prevent the opening of a new bridge linking the United States and Canada, escalating tensions with the neighbouring country, which he has earlier suggested should become the 51st state of the US, reported AFP.

Trump said the United States should control “at least half” of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, currently under construction between Ontario and the US state of Michigan. The USD 4.7-billion bridge, named after late Canadian-born National Hockey League legend Gordie Howe, began construction in 2018 and is scheduled to open later this year.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve. We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The 79-year-old Republican claimed that Canada owns both sides of the bridge and used “virtually” no US-made products in its construction.

However, a factsheet issued by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority states that the project is fully financed by Canada and will be jointly owned by the Canadian government and the state of Michigan.