In a recent exchange that has garnered significant attention, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly rebuffed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion regarding ownership of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a crucial connection between Ontario and Michigan. The two leaders reportedly discussed the issue over the phone on Tuesday morning after Trump threatened to prevent the bridge from opening unless the U.S. was granted a 50 percent ownership stake. Carney, however, confidently assured reporters that the situation would be resolved, though he withheld specific details. In a playful jab at Trump, Carney remarked that Canada’s women’s hockey team would triumph over the U.S. in their Olympic matchup later that day. “It’s a big game today and we’re going to win,” Carney confidently declared, countering Trump’s earlier comments suggesting that China might ban ice hockey in Canada.

Amidst these tensions, Carney noted that Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, would be instrumental in facilitating discussions about the $4.7 billion bridge project. On Monday night, Trump rekindled concerns about a trade war with a post on Truth Social, accusing Canada of unfair trade practices. He criticized Carney’s administration for allegedly aligning too closely with Beijing and revisited grievances with former President Barack Obama for allowing the bridge deal to proceed. Trump claimed that Canada imposed punitive tariffs on U.S. dairy products and lamented that the bridge was constructed without substantial U.S. involvement, blaming Obama for granting a waiver. “They own both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built [the bridge] with virtually no US content,” Trump alleged.

Trump’s commentary extended to voicing fears that Canada’s potential agreements with China would disadvantage the U.S., predicting that such deals could lead to the extinction of ice hockey in Canada and the disappearance of the Stanley Cup. Despite Trump’s assertions, the bridge, financed by Canada after the U.S. declined to fund it, is scheduled to open soon, with costs recouped over 30 years through tolls. Contrary to Trump’s claims, the bridge is a joint venture, not solely Canadian-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.’ 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.