Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States should own part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a major infrastructure project linking Ontario and Michigan.

In a phone call on Tuesday morning, Carney addressed Trump’s ultimatum to prevent the opening of the bridge unless the U.S. was granted a 50 percent stake. Carney assured reporters, “The situation will be settled,” though he refrained from divulging further details. In a lighter moment, he also quipped that Canada’s women’s hockey team would triumph over the U.S. in their Olympic matchup later that day.

Carney took a playful jab at Trump, responding to the former president’s claim that China would ban ice hockey in Canada, by confidently asserting, “It’s a big game today and we’re going to win.” This remark highlighted both the friendly rivalry and the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

The Canadian leader noted that U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, would be instrumental in facilitating discussions about the $4.7 billion bridge project, aiming to ease diplomatic tensions.

Trump’s comments on the bridge came after he reignited trade war concerns with a post on Truth Social on Monday night, where he accused Canada of treating the United States unfairly over several decades. The situation underscores the delicate balance of maintaining strong cross-border relations amid complex geopolitical dynamics.

Trump reignited trade war fears in a Truth Social post on Monday night, claiming ‘Canada has treated the United States very unfairly for decades.’ 

In a wide-ranging post, he accused Carney’s government of cozying up to Beijing, attacked Barrack Obama for agreeing the bridge deal, and accused Canada of levying harsh tariffs on US dairy.

‘They own both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built [the bridge] with virtually no US content. President Barack Hussein Obama stupidly gave them a waiver,’ Trump wrote.

President Donald Trump welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney outside the West Wing of the White House on October 7

Julia Gosling #88 of Team Canada scores her first goal during the Women’s Ice Hockey – Group A match between Team Canada and Team Czech Republic on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on February 9

‘On top of everything else, Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China – which will eat Canada alive,’ Trump wrote.

‘We’ll just get the leftovers! I don’t think so. The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.’

The bridge was financed by Canada after the US refused to pay for it and is set to open in the coming months. 

The costs will be financed by tolls over 30 years.

Trump incorrectly suggested the bridge would be owned by Canada even though the bridge is jointly owned.

‘I explained that Canada, of course, paid for the construction of the bridge, over $4 billion. That the ownership is shared between the state of Michigan and the government of Canada,’ Carney said outside the parliament in Ottawa.

He added that it was built by Canadian and US workers using steel from both countries. 

‘This is a great example of co-operation between our countries. I look forward to its opening,’ Carney said. ‘What is particularly important, of course, is the commerce and the tourism and the voyages of Canadians and Americans that will go across that bridge.’ 

US team players watch the screen during the women’s preliminary round Group A Ice Hockey match between Switzerland and USA at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 9

In 2012, Michigan’s then-Governor Rick Snyder accepted a Canadian government offer to fund most of the new bridge’s costs, and took the unusual step of using executive authority to bypass the legislature. Construction began in 2018.

The US Department of Homeland Security published a rule on January 30 declaring the bridge an official port of entry. It said the bridge will save $12.7 million annually for travelers by reducing congestion and travel time while easing traffic flows. 

Canada and America’s women’s ice hockey teams will face off in the preliminary round of the Milan Cortina Games at 2.30pm Eastern Time.

Both are undefeated at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the result will determine the top seed in the knockout stage. 

The Americans are tournament favorites after beating Canada 4-3 in overtime in April.