Gordie Howe bridge: Former Michigan governor says Trump gets facts wrong

Rick Snyder, who negotiated the Gordie Howe International Bridge, says the crossing is a 50/50 partnership between the Government of Canada and the State of Michigan and that the Michigan side used American steel and labor; he disputes recent claims by President Donald Trump about ownership and U.S. content.

Rick Snyder, Michigan's governor from 2011 to 2019, says he negotiated the Gordie Howe International Bridge with the Canadian government. He disputes recent statements by President Donald Trump about the bridge's ownership and the amount of U.S. content. Snyder describes the crossing as a shared, 50/50 partnership and notes Canada financed the project upfront. He argues that the bridge was intended to support cross-border trade and that delays or threats to block its opening harm commerce on both sides. Known points: - Rick Snyder served as Michigan governor from 2011 to 2019 and says he helped negotiate the Gordie Howe International Bridge. - The bridge is described as a 50/50 partnership between the Government of Canada and the State of Michigan. - President Donald Trump posted that Canada "owns both the Canada and the United States sides" and said there was "virtually no U.S. content." - Because the bridge spans an international border, U.S. domestic-content procurement requirements were waived for the central span; Snyder says the customs plaza and Michigan approach roads used American steel and labor while the Canadian side supported Canadian workers. - Canada financed the project upfront and, according to Snyder, will be repaid with interest through toll revenues. Summary: Snyder says the dispute over ownership and content contrasts with the project's purpose of strengthening trade and cross-border cooperation, and he warns that keeping the bridge closed raises costs for businesses and consumers on both sides. Undetermined at this time.