【By Observer News, Qi Qian】

After the Trump administration came to power, it has always been hostile towards its neighboring country Canada, and when Sino-Canadian relations warmed up, it became even more angry.

To "punish" Canada, US President Trump found a new reason — a bridge connecting Ontario and Michigan.

On February 9th, local time, Trump posted on his own social media platform, threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge unless Canada "paid" half of the bridge's assets. It is reported that the bridge cost 4.7 billion dollars, entirely funded by the Canadian federal government, and was originally planned to open at the beginning of the year.

Trump also mentioned the Sino-Canadian agreement, claiming that China would "devour Canada", and that the US would only get "leftovers".

The soon-to-open US-Canada Gordie Howe Bridge Trump account

"As everyone knows, Canada has been treating the US very unfairly for decades," Trump claimed in his post, but "since he took office, the situation in the US is improving rapidly."

He immediately revealed his true intentions, mentioning the soon-to-open Gordie Howe Bridge. "Imagine that Canada is building a huge bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They have both the Canadian side and the American side, but they used almost no American-made products during construction. Obama foolishly gave them an exemption, so they could use no American products, including our steel."

Trump claimed that now, he would not allow Canada to continue "taking advantage of the US".

He said, "Ontario, Canada, even does not allow American liquor, drinks, and other alcohol products to be placed on their shelves... The tariffs Canada has imposed on our dairy products for years are unacceptable, putting our farmers at great financial risk."

"I will not allow this bridge to open until the US gets full compensation, fairness, and respect," Trump threatened, saying negotiations should start immediately, and the US "should own at least half of this asset." He didn't mention what the "compensation" would be, but emphasized it would be "a huge amount."

Trump remains resentful about the Sino-Canadian agreement. In his post, he claimed, "Now, Kanai wants to do business with China. This will devour Canada. We will only get leftovers! I don't want that." He continued with his "illogical reasoning," saying that China would end all of Canada's hockey games and permanently cancel the "Stanley Cup" (North American National Hockey League competition).

In January this year, Canadian Prime Minister Kanai led a delegation to China, and Sino-Canadian trade agreements were signed. This angered the Trump administration. Last month, Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canada, cancel certification for Bombardier Global Express business jets from Canada, and impose 50% import tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft. However, as of now, the US has not taken any formal action.

Busy traffic at the US-Canada border crossing CBC

According to Reuters and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Gordie Howe Bridge, which started construction in 2018, cost about 4.7 billion dollars, entirely funded by the Canadian federal government. The bridge is expected to open at the beginning of this year, and is currently undergoing final testing and inspection.

In 2023, Detroit was the second-largest freight port in the US by value, and the largest port on the US-Canada border, handling trade worth 126 billion dollars through commercial trucks. This bridge will help alleviate traffic. According to a study by the University of Windsor in Canada, the Gordie Howe Bridge will reduce crossing time by 20 minutes, saving truck drivers 2.3 billion dollars over 30 years.

However, the new bridge has been controversial since its construction began. In 2012, the then-governor of Michigan accepted the Canadian government's funding proposal, using executive power to bypass the legislature to approve the construction plan. This caused dissatisfaction among other bridge owners in the area.

But in 2017, during his first term, Trump endorsed the new bridge, listing the Gordie Howe Bridge construction plan as a "priority project." He also issued a joint statement with then-Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, calling it "an important economic link between our two countries."

Within less than 10 years, Trump has "turned against" his previously endorsed project, causing strong doubts.

US Democratic Senator Elisa Slotkin of Michigan said, "Canceling this project would have serious consequences. Michigan businesses would face higher costs, less secure supply chains, and fewer jobs in the end." She added that Trump was punishing Michiganders "because of the trade war he initiated himself," and pointed out that Canada turned to China because Trump "has been kicking their teeth out all along."

"This is just crazy, I can't believe it," said Drew Diller, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, stating that Trump's statements were not in line with the facts, as American steel was used in the construction of this project.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7605076174431093299/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.