LANSING, Mich., Feb. 11, 2026 — President Trump recently claimed that he will not permit the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, effectively renewing his trade war on Canada. The Detroit-Windsor corridor is one of the busiest in the country, handling hundreds of billions of dollars in goods annually and supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.
After Trump’s remarks, state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement:
“The Gordie Howe bridge is not a bargaining chip; it is a vital piece of infrastructure to support one of the busiest border crossings in the country. This move threatens to worsen relations with one of our closest allies and largest trading partners at a time when the President and his administration are alienating allies left and right. Escalating his reckless trade war with Canada does not help anyone and will have negative impacts on Michiganders struggling to afford necessities like groceries. The bridge stands as a testament to the power of international and bipartisan collaboration, and it is a shame the President would threaten so much progress on a whim.”
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