- A joint Canada-U.S. celebration for the bridge opening on July 27 was canceled because of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats. The ceremony will now be Canadian-only.
- Details of the Gordie Howe Bridge deal were released on July 22, 2026, more than 10 days after the delayed bridge's opening was announced for July 27, contradicting earlier statements by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- Under the new deal, Canada will share 50% of net bridge and crossing-related revenues with the U.S. for the first fifteen years. Net revenue is defined as all revenues minus operating costs.
- The terms conflict with Carney's comments on July 12 that net revenues would only be shared after debt costs were recovered, and on July 16 that 'any sharing of the toll revenue won't happen until all of the debt is repaid.'
- This represents a significant shift from the 2012 original deal, where Canada fronted $6.4 billion in construction costs and collected 100% of tolls until recoupment (estimated at least 50 years), after which revenues would be split equally with Michigan.
- The shared revenues will go to the United States-Canada Economic Development Fund, controlled by the U.S., for the benefit of the United States and bilateral trade.
- The U.S. must consent to toll increases of more than 10% or decreases below regional averages during the first 15 years. Consent is deemed given if not withheld within 30 days.
Canada has canceled a joint opening event for the Gordie Howe Bridge due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian goods, which could take effect on August 19.
Jenna Ghassabeh, director of communications for Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, stated, “In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries.”
The bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, is set to open on July 27, 2023.12345
Details of a new toll-revenue-sharing agreement reveal that Canada will share 50% of net bridge and crossing-related revenues with the U.S. for the first 15 years, a significant shift from the original agreement where Canada would collect 100% of toll revenues until recouping its $6.4 billion investment.111415
The agreement, described as a “proposed agreement in principle,” runs parallel to the original Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement signed in 2012.
The deal stipulates that “net bridge and crossing related revenues” are defined as all revenues collected from the bridge, minus operating costs.
Prime Minister Mark Carney previously indicated that net revenues would only be shared after debt costs were recovered, stating, “It is an agreement for 15 years to split net revenues.”
The U.S. must also consent to any toll changes exceeding 10% during the first 15 years, or consent will be deemed provided within 30 days of notification.
Construction on the bridge began in 2018, and it is expected to be among the top five longest bridges in North America.
“Under the new deal, Canada will share 50% of net bridge revenues with the U.S. for the first 15 years, a shift from the original 2012 agreement where Canada collected all tolls until recoupment. The cancellation follows President Trump's latest threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods by August 19.”
