White House Press Secretary Levitt: Trump demanded Canada give up half of the ownership of the new bridge connecting Canada and the US!
Otherwise, he would block the opening of the Ontario-Michigan Bridge between Canada and the US.
According to statements by the White House spokesperson and Trump himself on social media on February 10, 2026, the news is true. Trump indeed demanded that Canada block the opening of the new bridge connecting the US and Canada until the US receives "adequate compensation" and demanded that the US own at least half of the bridge's ownership.
Key information shows that the bridge was fully funded by the Canadian government. Actual ownership: According to the agreement, the bridge is co-owned by the Canadian government and the Michigan state government (50% each), with Canada recouping its costs through future tolls.
Trump demanded that the US obtain at least half of the ownership and share the profits, arguing that the bridge construction did not use enough American steel. He also threatened to use presidential authority to prevent the bridge from opening as planned in early 2026.
In response to Trump's "robbery," Canada reacted strongly, with strong condemnation from Canadian political and business circles, who called blocking the bridge a "self-harm act" and clarified that American steel was strictly used in the construction on the US side.
This bridge dispute is essentially one of Trump's strategies to pressure Canada before renegotiating the US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. The legal measures and actual impact remain to be observed. As close allies, such friction between the US and Canada is usually resolved through negotiations, but the process may be bumpy.
Trump's words and actions also contain an emotional outburst, being resentful of Prime Minister Trudeau's achievements during his visit to China, and repeatedly threatening to oust Trudeau. The bridge incident can also be seen as an outlet for his frustration.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1856796907215936/
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