Точка Синхронізації

President-elect Donald Trump issued a bold ultimatum to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless the United States is granted a 50% ownership stake in the newly constructed Gordie Howe International Bridge. This international dispute centers on the critical infrastructure project connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, which is currently nearing completion under the sole financing and ownership of the Canadian government. Trump’s demand, voiced during a series of high-stakes trade discussions, reflects his broader strategy to leverage tariffs to secure more favorable economic terms and direct control over North American logistics corridors. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, a massive $4.8 billion project, has been funded entirely by Canada after the U.S. federal government and the state of Michigan declined to provide capital during its early development phases. Under the current agreement, Canada intended to recoup its investment through toll collection once the bridge opens to traffic in September 2025. Trump’s proposal to seize half of the equity in a foreign-funded asset on the border marks a significant departure from standard diplomatic and commercial protocols, potentially jeopardizing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Trudeau, have expressed surprise at the demand, noting that Canada assumed all financial risks for the project which will benefit both nations' economies. This escalation follows Trump's broader rhetoric regarding trade imbalances and border security, where he has frequently utilized the threat of universal tariffs as a bargaining tool against America's closest allies. Industry analysts warn that if these tariffs are implemented, they could destabilize the automotive supply chain and significantly increase costs for consumers across the Midwest, where the Detroit-Windsor crossing handles roughly 25% of all bilateral trade between the two nations.