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Trump sparks a diplomatic storm over the Gordie Howe Bridge. Photo by Kanenori /Pixabay.


Hemisphere
HEMISPHERE ------------------------------------2295NEWS STORY

Trump and the Gordie Howe Bridge: The Call That Sparked a Diplomatic Storm

One Phone, an Explosive Post, and Tensions Between the U.S. and Canada

Everything started with a simple phone call in the White House, and just hours later, President Donald Trump was launching a controversial attack on a crucial binational project: the Gordie Howe International Bridge, designed to connect Detroit (Michigan) with Windsor (Ontario).

According to sources close to the administration, a phone call between Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick triggered the episode that later exploded on social media. The conversation took place shortly after Lutnick met with Matthew Moroun, whose family controls the Ambassador Bridge — another key U.S.-Canada connection that has long been in dispute with the promoters of the new international crossing.

That phone call changed the political course of the day: hours later, Trump posted on Truth Social a forceful message against Canada and the infrastructure project, claiming that the bridge “contained virtually no U.S. content” and warning he would not allow it to open until the U.S. received compensation and ownership stake.

However, the facts contradict these claims: the Gordie Howe Bridge, valued at over $4 billion, was largely funded by Canada and is expected to be co-owned by Ontario and Michigan, including materials and labor from both countries.

In response to the controversy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney contacted Trump to clarify the situation, emphasizing the joint nature of the project and dismissing the president’s accusations. The bridge, Carney explained, is a symbol of binational cooperation and economic integration, and its opening remains on schedule unless unexpected changes occur.

In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer also rejected Trump’s unfounded criticisms, noting that numerous U.S. materials and workers have contributed significantly to the project. Despite the uproar, authorities on both sides of the border maintain that the infrastructure will serve as a key engine of trade and movement between the U.S. and Canada.

This episode highlights not only trade and political tensions between the U.S. and its northern partner but also how a president can turn private calls into public controversies, transforming a simple phone into global headlines and unexpected diplomatic tension.

By Heydi Bernal for Ruta Pantera on 2/12/2026 1:49:16 PM

×
References:
Trump’s Jaw‑Dropping Call Before Weird Bridge Threat Exposed, The Daily Beast. Link Canada Humiliates Trump After His Wild Bridge Meltdown, The Daily Beast. Link Phone Call That Sparked Trump’s Gordie Howe International Bridge Meltdown Revealed, Inquisitr. Link


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