Matthew Moroun (Deadline Detroit file photo)
Matthew Moroun, the billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge, met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday, hours before President Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, the New York Times reports.
The Moroun family has for years tried to derail construction of the Gordie Howe bridge, saying it would take away business from the Ambassador Bridge, which it has operated for decades.
The Times reports that after Moroun had his meeting, Lutnick spoke by phone with Trump about the matter. Shortly afterward, Trump threatened to block the planned opening of the bridge, scheduled for later this year.
Michigan lawmakers were reluctant to put up any money for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, so Canada agreed to pay for it all and recoup the revenue from tolls. Once the cost is recovered, the revenues will be split between Canada and Michigan.
Both Canada and Michigan own the bridge.
Still, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday:
“The fact that Canada will control what crosses the Gordie Howe bridge, and owns the land on both sides, is unacceptable to the president. It’s also unacceptable that more of this bridge isn’t being built with more American-made materials.”
In his message about the bridge on Truth Social on Monday, Trump expressed concerns about Canada turning to China for trade relations. He went on to warn:
“The first thing China will do is terminate ALL ice hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the Windsor Star that Trump’s comments are “unhinged, moving from a lot of misinformation and untrue statements.”
