Mark Carney said he had held a “positive” conversation with Donald Trump after the US leader threatened to block a new key bridge between their two countries, reminding the president that Canada paid for the structure – and that the US shares ownership.
Late on Monday, Trump posted a lengthy message on social media, falsely claiming that the $4.6bn Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, had “virtually no US content”. The bridge is due to open in early 2026.
In his post, Trump had also claimed that Canada owns both ends of the bridge and made a bizarre assertion that increased trade between Canada and China would include a ban on Canadians playing ice hockey.
“Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get – Absolutely NOTHING!” he wrote.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday ahead of a flashpoint ice hockey game between the two countries at the Olympics, Carney downplayed Trump’s comments, telling reporters in French the “situation will be resolved”.
“I explained that Canada paid for the construction of the bridge … that the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada, and that in the construction of the bridge, obviously there’s Canadian steel and Canadian workers, but also US steel, US workers that were involved,” he said. “This is a great example of cooperation between our countries.”
Trump blamed his predecessor Barack Obama for “stupidly” approving the bridge project. But the former Conservative MP Jeff Watson pointed out “construction began in earnest in your first term as President … Back then you called for expeditious construction” of the bridge.
“It’s just insane, when I read that post I can’t believe what I’m reading, but it’s par for the course,” the Windsor mayor, Drew Dilkens, told CBC News.
Since winning a second term, Trump has focused much of his attention and outrage on Canada, replaying many of his longstanding grievances in meandering social media posts, including frustration with the dairy industry and China.
Trump has made a number of threats against Canada in his second term and drastically hiked tariffs. After the president imposed tariffs on goods such as steel, aluminum and automobiles, Canada’s most populous province pulled US spirits and wines from the shelves of its government-run liquor stores.
“Ontario won’t even put US spirits, beverages, and other alcoholic products on their shelves, they are absolutely prohibited from doing so,” Trump wrote.
On Tuesday, Ontario’s populist premier, Doug Ford, said he would “double down [on the US liquor ban] if we have to”, adding: “You want to fix it? Get rid of the tariffs.”
Trump’s latest tirade reflects his apparently growing concern over Carney’s plans to step up trade with China – a move the president initially praised.
Last month, he said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China.
“China … will eat Canada alive,” Trump wrote on Monday, adding: “The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”
Canadians poked fun at Trump’s bizarre claim that China would force Canada to give up both its national pastime and the professional hockey’s most coveted trophy as part of a trade deal with Beijing.
“if trump knew puck he’d know canada hasn’t had to worry about the stanley cup for a couple decades now,” wrote one user on X, a nod to Canada’s failure to win the top prize since 1993.
“Whether this proves real or simply threatened to keep uncertainty high – blocking or barricading bridges is a self-defeating move,” Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
“Through decades of collaboration, Canada and the United States build things together, create jobs together and compete globally together.”
Comedian Mark Critch summed up a weary disbelief among Canadians: “Saying we can’t cross a bridge is epic troll behaviour.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theguardian.com
