Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is urging Canadian officials not to accept an unfavourable trade agreement with the United States simply to speed up the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. According to CTV News, Dilkens said the long awaited border crossing should not become a bargaining chip in wider Canada U.S. trade negotiations.
The new bridge, which is expected to open in spring 2026, has become tied to political discussions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump and senior Canadian officials have both indicated that trade talks are affecting the timing of the bridge opening, even though the project has already reached major construction milestones.
Speaking to AM800 CKLW, Dilkens said Canada has fulfilled its responsibilities and should not be pressured into making concessions just to get the bridge operating. He argued that the bridge is being held hostage by the United States and said Canadian negotiators should not approach the White House from a position of weakness.
According to CTV News, Trump previously posted that he would not allow the bridge to open unless the United States was fully compensated for what he described as support given to Canada. His comments referenced Canada’s dairy system and Ontario’s decision to remove American liquor from LCBO shelves.
Dilkens said Canada still has leverage in the relationship, including the importance of Canadian oil and energy resources. His position is that the bridge should remain closed longer if the alternative is a poor trade agreement that harms Canada’s broader national interest.
Federal Minister Evan Solomon, who handles economic development for southern Ontario, has acknowledged that trade negotiations are one of several factors affecting the opening timeline. He said discussions with the United States are continuing, while also noting that multiple industries are being affected by the wider trade environment.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge received a presidential permit in 2013 under former U.S. president Barack Obama. Former Michigan governor Rick Snyder told CTV News that a U.S. administration could potentially delay the opening through issues connected to the presidential permit or staffing at the American customs plaza.
Canada Border Services Agency officers moved into their Gordie Howe bridge facilities in September 2025, while CTV News reported it has asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection about staffing at the Detroit point of entry. For readers following major Canada U.S. trade and infrastructure developments through Weekly Voice, the dispute shows how a major transportation project can become part of a much larger political and economic standoff. More Canadian coverage is available through Weekly Voice Canada.
