šŗšø US President Trump is back at it, and this time the noise is spilling directly into cross-border trade and market sentiment. On February 9, Trump reportedly warned that he could block the completion and opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting the U.S. and Canadaāunless at least 50% ownership is handed to the United States.
š„ø It sounds unreal, but itās happening. Canada invested nearly CAD 6.4 billion (ā USD 4.6 billion) to build this critical bridge near Detroit. Now, with the project nearing completion, Trumpās message is blunt: āGive us half, or no one crosses.ā A textbook case of attempting to extract value at the finish line.
You heard that right. From design to construction, the bridge was fully funded by Canada. The original plan was straightforward: recover costs over time through tolls, then share profits with the state of Michigan. Trumpās intervention flips the scriptāarguing the bridge didnāt use American steel and accusing Canada of exploiting the U.S. The reaction north of the border was swift, with Windsorās mayor publicly pushing back.
Even more concerning for markets, Trump reportedly tied the bridge issue to broader demands, including concessions on dairy tariffs and alcohol sales. In short, infrastructure has become a bargaining chip. Want the bridge open? Pay the political price.
š From a macro and trade perspective, this move hurts both sidesābut especially the U.S. The DetroitāWindsor corridor is one of North Americaās busiest trade arteries, with tens of thousands of trucks crossing daily. If the new bridge remains closed, traffic will be forced onto the nearly 100-year-old Ambassador Bridge, driving logistics costs higher and squeezing margins across supply chainsāa direct hit to Michiganās economy.
The frustration has gone bipartisan. Even a Democratic senator from Michigan publicly criticized Trump, calling it āshooting yourself in the footāāusing trade warfare to punish your own state. This bridge is objectively pro-growth: jobs, efficiency, and stronger trade flows. Blocking it is not an economic strategy; itās political leverage at the expense of real money.
For traders and investors, the takeaway is clear: headline risk is back, and policy uncertainty continues to pressure risk assets.
Whatās your view on this escalation?
š¬ Drop your thoughts below.
š Volatility is policy-driven. Trade accordingly.