Former Governor Points to Lobbying as Cause of Trump's Gordie Howe Bridge Threat
A former U.S. ambassador to Canada and Michigan governor has publicly stated that President Donald Trump's recent threat to halt the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge likely originated from intensive lobbying efforts by the billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge. James Blanchard, who served in both diplomatic and gubernatorial roles, emphasized that Trump's actions appear to be a direct reaction to influence from Matthew Moroun, whose family controls the nearly century-old Ambassador Bridge.
Monopoly at Stake in North America's Busiest Border Crossing
Matthew Moroun currently maintains a near-monopoly on commercial truck traffic at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, which is recognized as the busiest in North America. This dominant position is facilitated by his 97-year-old privately owned Ambassador Bridge. However, this monopoly is poised to end with the anticipated opening of the new, modern Gordie Howe International Bridge later this year, introducing significant competition to the market.
"I think it was more a cabinet member or a staff member in the White House that was quite likely talking to the Moroun people," Blanchard told reporters. "I can't speak for the White House, obviously, or anybody else. I can speak for myself, but I can tell you I talked to our governor and our ambassador, and they're all working on this. They want to get this resolved."
Reports of Meetings and Political Connections
According to reports from The New York Times, Matthew Moroun met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Monday, just hours before President Trump issued his threats on social media. The newspaper cited unnamed sources, noting that the U.S. Department of Commerce did not respond to requests for comment regarding the meeting.
The Moroun family, known as major Republican donors, has a long history of opposing the Gordie Howe bridge project. Previously led by Matthew's father Matty, who passed away in 2020, the Ambassador Bridge company has engaged in a decade-long battle to derail government efforts to construct a competing publicly owned bridge. This included spending millions of dollars and launching numerous lawsuits, as well as a failed US$30 million Michigan ballot proposal in 2012 aimed at blocking construction.
"They lost every last one of them," Blanchard remarked about the legal challenges. "The reality is the Ambassador Bridge is going to make money one way or the other. Yeah, they'll make less because they'll have a modern infrastructure a mile and a half away, but they'll still make money."
Trump's Social Media Outburst and Official Responses
On Monday night, President Trump took to his Truth Social media account to launch a written attack against Canada, explicitly threatening to delay the long-awaited opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. This move has sparked concerns among officials and stakeholders on both sides of the border.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the Canadian Crown corporation responsible for overseeing the bridge's construction, has remained silent since the president's threats emerged. Similarly, a representative from the Ambassador Bridge company did not respond to media inquiries prior to the print deadline, leaving questions unanswered about their involvement.
Blanchard criticized the president's handling of the situation, stating, "He reacted, overreacted, and tweeted about it. Obviously, he's ill-served by his staff." This comment underscores the perception that Trump's actions may be driven by inadequate advice or external pressures rather than strategic policy considerations.
Broader Implications for International Relations and Trade
The controversy surrounding the Gordie Howe International Bridge highlights significant issues in international trade and diplomatic relations between the United States and Canada. As a critical infrastructure project, the bridge is expected to enhance cross-border commerce and reduce congestion, making Trump's threats a potential setback for economic cooperation.
Officials from both nations are reportedly working behind the scenes to resolve the dispute, with Blanchard confirming ongoing discussions with governors and ambassadors. The outcome of these efforts will likely influence not only the bridge's opening but also the broader dynamics of U.S.-Canada relations in the coming months.
