Michigan workers, small businesses, and families have waited years for the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open. Construction began in 2018 after bipartisan support from leaders in both countries who recognized what this crossing represents: jobs, secure supply chains, and a stronger economy for communities on both sides of the Detroit River.

Now, that progress is being threatened.

President Trump has stated that he will not allow the bridge to open unless Canada agrees to broader economic concessions unrelated to the bridge itself. Blocking this long-planned project would not just send a message to Canada — it would directly hurt Michiganders. Delays could mean higher costs for manufacturers, disruptions to the auto industry, and uncertainty for thousands of workers whose livelihoods depend on smooth cross-border trade.

This bridge is more than steel and concrete. It is a symbol of cooperation between two neighboring nations that have built prosperity together for generations. Republicans and Democrats alike have previously recognized its importance as a “vital economic link.” Michigan’s economy depends on stable, reliable trade routes — not political brinkmanship.

Holding up critical infrastructure that Michigan workers are counting on risks turning a shared economic win into a self-inflicted wound. Our state should not become collateral damage in a broader trade dispute.

We call on President Trump and the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open as planned and to keep Michigan’s economy, jobs, and cross-border partnerships moving forward. Trade disagreements should be resolved at the negotiating table — not by blocking infrastructure that serves American workers and businesses.

Michigan deserves stability, certainty, and leadership that puts our communities first.