Canadian celebration' of Howe bridge planned after event with US nixed

Plans for a Canadian-U.S. celebration of the Gordie Howe International Bridge were scaled back after new tariffs from President Donald Trump prompted Canada to cancel the joint event. The $4.7 billion bridge over the Detroit River is intended to reduce cross-border congestion, and the article notes the trade war could cut traffic by about 500,000 vehicles annually, affecting toll and regional economic gains. Canadian leaders told Michigan officials the Friday ribbon-cutting celebration would be canceled, while a “Canadian Celebration” was set for Friday morning on the Windsor side of the 1.5-mile span. Housing and infrastructure minister Gregor Robertson is expected to attend. The decision followed Trump’s imposition of new 50% tariffs on goods including Canadian cement, wine, dairy, and hockey sticks. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hoped there would be no further delays to the bridge’s opening.