Democratic U.S. Representative Mike Levin of California has added his voice to the growing bipartisan chorus calling for the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a completed span between Detroit and Windsor that remains closed. In a social media video, Levin stated: “There’s a brand new bridge between Detroit and Canada that is finished, it’s ready, and it’s sitting there empty because Donald Trump will not let it open.”
Bridge Benefits and Funding Dispute
Levin emphasized the bridge’s potential economic impact, saying it “would move trucks faster, it would cut delays for American businesses, and it would feed the auto industry that supports jobs in all 50 states.” He also highlighted a key funding detail: “Canada paid for the whole thing; every dollar. The U.S. already owns half of the bridge for free.” The bridge, named after Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, was built with Canadian taxpayer dollars and is fully ready for traffic, yet remains padlocked.
Allegations of Political Interference
Levin directly linked the delay to political donations. He explained that the nearby Ambassador Bridge, also connecting Detroit and Windsor, “is privately owned by a man named Matthew Moroun. And when the new bridge opens, traffic will shift and Moroun will lose business.” According to Levin, Moroun gave $1 million to a Trump fundraiser in January and later met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Feb. 9. “And then after that meeting Trump went online and announced that he would block the bridge until Canada, in his words, ‘treats us with fairness and respect,'” Levin said. He concluded: “A government should work for the people, not for whoever writes the biggest cheque. Open the bridge.”
Canadian Government Response
Canadian officials have offered limited public comment. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, asked about the bridge during a press event on Monday, replied: “So of course we know this is an important bridge that has been supported by Canadian taxpayers and in that sense its opening is important, important for the country. We’ll continue to engage with the U.S. on this very issue.” She added that Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been in contact with Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer, and that Prime Minister Mark Carney has been in contact with President Trump.
Growing Political Pressure in the U.S.
Levin is not alone in pressing for the bridge’s opening. Last week, Democratic Senate hopeful Mallory McMorrow released a campaign ad with “one message for the president: Open this damn bridge. And you’d better believe I approve this message.” Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, also addressed the issue at a policy conference in Michigan, drawing laughter when he said: “The craziest thing about this is that Mexico was never going to pay for the wall, but Canada actually paid for the bridge. They paid for it!” He recalled being briefed on the bridge during his transition into the Biden administration.
Status of the Bridge
The Gordie Howe International Bridge was completed in 2025 but has never opened. A planned opening on June 12 was scuttled at the last minute. The bridge remains fully constructed and ready for traffic, with no official explanation from the Trump administration for the continued closure. The delay has sparked criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, who argue it harms cross-border trade and U.S. economic interests.
