PODCAST:
July 22, 2026 ~ Former Michigan Gov. and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard explains the potential impact of President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs on Canadian products and what they could mean for Michigan businesses, workers, and cross-border trade. He also discusses the cancellation of the ribbon-cutting of the Gordie Howe Bridge.
DETROIT ~ While the public opening of a bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada is still set to take place next week, the celebration of its opening will be divided across the border due to trade disputes.
The Gordie Howe Bridge, which will connect the cities of Detroit and Windsor, is expected to open to traffic July 27, with a joint U.S.-Canadian ribbon-cutting ceremony previously planned for July 24. But after President Donald Trump announced this week that he will implement a 50% tariff on a broad range of Canadian products over claims of “discrimination” towards certain U.S. goods, Canadians pulled back to just celebrating on their side of the border.
“In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries,” said Jenna Ghassabeh, a spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson.
Ghassabeh clarified that Canada is still committed to opening the bridge on July 27.
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada and Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard spoke to WJR about the ceremony.
“I was planning to be there Friday with Gov. Whitmer, and others – probably (former) Gov. Snyder – who played a major role as well, so we’ll have to save that for another day,” he said. “But they’re going to go forward on the Windsor side, and I think the bridge is going to be open for traffic on Monday, so let’s hope that happens. It’s really important, and it’s a sad thing that the White House had to launch another trade war earlier this week, and I’m not sure why either.”
This comes after months of delays for the bridge opening after Trump pushed for a new toll deal with Canada, which was reached earlier in July.
