Trump says US will get 50% profits after Canada's 'disinvite' from bridge opening

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that Canada had disinvited the United States from the opening ceremony of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, saying Washington had revised the financial terms of the cross-border project after Ottawa imposed what he described as unfair trade measures.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Canada had "disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge", adding that he was unconcerned because Canada was already paying "substantial tariffs" to the US. He also claimed that an earlier agreement on the bridge, which he described as "terribly negotiated by a previous Administration", had been altered so that the United States would now receive "50% of the Profit".

US IMPOSES 50% TARIFF ON CANADIAN GOODS

Trump's remarks come days after his administration imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods entering the United States, accusing Ottawa of unfairly discriminating against American automobiles, dairy products and alcoholic beverages.

The sweeping tariffs, announced on Monday, are expected to escalate trade tensions between the two neighbours and could contribute to higher inflation and further strain economic ties. A senior administration official said Canada, along with China, was among the few countries to retaliate against previous US tariffs and therefore had to be held accountable.

The tariffs were imposed under Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930 through three presidential proclamations signed by Trump. While the measures cover most Canadian imports, they exempt energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals. They also apply to goods that had previously enjoyed tariff-free access under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), after the 2020 trade pact was not renewed by the US, triggering fresh negotiations that could continue until 2036.

DISPUTE OVERSHADOWS BRIDGE INAUGURATION

The escalating trade dispute has overshadowed the inauguration of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a major infrastructure project linking Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario. Named after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, the six-lane bridge spans the Detroit River and was designed to strengthen trade and connectivity between the two countries.

A joint opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, where dignitaries from both countries were expected to meet at the midpoint of the bridge, was cancelled following Trump's announcement of the new tariffs, further highlighting the deteriorating relationship between Washington and Ottawa.