Canada Cancels Opening Ceremony With U.S. After New Trump Tariffs

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Canada has canceled a joint ceremony to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge because or President Donald Trump’s new 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports. The administration imposed the tariffs because of what it…

Canada has canceled a joint ceremony to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge because  or President Donald Trump’s new 50% Tariff on certain Canadian imports.

The administration imposed the tariffs because of what it describes as “discriminatory” trade measures from Canada.

A senior administration official confirmed this has impacted products ranging from “wine to hockey sticks to cement.”

The two countries agreed to open the $4.7 billion bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, following negotiations that Trump said brought a “much better deal” for the U.S. on toll revenue.

“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,” Jenna Ghassabeh, a spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, said to the Associated Press.

“We remain committed to opening the bridge on July 27th, and to celebrating this milestone among Canadians on July 24th,” she added.

Canada will hold its own opening ceremony on Friday.

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It is not clear if the U.S. will hold its own separate ceremony.

The 1.5-mile bridge is expected to become a major commercial crossing between the U.S. and Canada.

A ceremony was originally scheduled for June 12 — with the bridge’s initial opening date of June 27 — but was postponed after officials said the countries were working to finalize negotiations.

The bridge is named after Canadian hockey star Gordie Howe, who played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.