Trump threatens to block the bridge to Canada. “The US should have half the shares”

US President Donald Trump threatened on Monday that he would not allow the opening of a bridge connecting the Canadian province of Ontario with the US state of Michigan. He added that Americans should own at least half of this facility. He announced the start of negotiations with the Canadians.

In a post on the Truth Social platform, the US president accused Canada of “treating the US very unfairly for decades.”

He was referring to the Gordie Howe International Bridge being built by Canada, which will connect Ontario and Michigan. The project is financed by Canadian federal funds. According to media reports, the bridge is practically ready, but formal issues still need to be finalized.

Trump complained that Canada “built it basically without U.S. involvement” and did not use American products, including steel, to build it.

“Now the Canadian authorities expect that I, as the US president, will ALLOW them to 'take advantage of America!' What the US receives – absolutely NOTHING!” – Trump continued.

He also said that the deal Canada wants to make with China would result in “Canada being eaten alive.” “And we'll get the leftovers! I don't think so,” he continued. Already earlier, in January, Trump assessed that “China is completely and successfully taking over Canada.”

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the U.S. receives full compensation for everything we have given it and, importantly, until Canada treats the U.S. fairly and with the respect we deserve. We will begin negotiations IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote.

“Considering everything we gave them, we should probably own at least half of this asset. The revenues generated from the US market will be astronomical,” he added.

Trump's statements are another in a series of attacks against the authorities of the US neighbor in the wake of Canada's conclusion of an agreement with Beijing to reduce the previous 100 percent. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and rapeseed.

The agreement with China was widely interpreted as a reaction to the Trump administration's hostile actions in the trade sphere and the imposition of high tariffs on key Canadian products. Although Trump initially responded positively to the actions of Mark Carney's government, he changed his mind after Carney announced in a loud speech in Davos that the current international order maintained by the US was being destroyed. In response, Trump also withdrew the invitation for Canada to join the international organization he was creating, the Peace Council.

From Washington Natalia Dziurdzińska (PAP)

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