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Cross-border bridge celebration 'inappropriate' after Trump's tariff threats: Canada

OTTAWA — The federal government said Tuesday that in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats, Canada will not be celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe International bridge with the United States.

"It would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries," said Jenna Ghassabeh, spokesperson for Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, in an emailed statement.

A Canada-only celebration is expected to take place Friday and the bridge is still set to open next Monday.

Sources with knowledge of the event, who spoke on condition they not be named, said invitations had been sent out for the Friday event. They said the decision for the event to be Canada-only was made earlier Tuesday and attendees were notified in the afternoon.

Trump said Monday he was going to hit an array of Canadian products with 50 per cent tariffs in 30 days. American officials said the new levies are a response to provincial bans on U.S. alcohol, Canada's supply-managed dairy system and quotas on American cars.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke with President Donald Trump Tuesday morning and they agreed to intensify trade negotiations.

Neither Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer nor the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority have yet responded to a request for comment.

The bridge connecting Ontario and Michigan was a visual reminder of the close proximity and integration between the province and U.S. state. It is named after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe who led the Detroit Red Wings to four Stanley Cup victories.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Howe was known for kindness, respect and his tenacity to win.

"Even though the celebration of the Gordie Howe Bridge opening will not be as robust as any of us would have hoped, I remain committed to celebrating the long-term positive impact this new border crossing will have on our regional economy for generations to come," Dilkens said in a text message to The Canadian Press.

"Canadians will continue to follow the example shown by Gordie Howe and we hope everyone would aspire to demonstrate the ideals he represents."

The bridge has also come to symbolize the upended relationship between Canada and the United States with Trump's return to the White House.

Its opening was delayed previously after the Trump administration sought to renegotiate the bridge deal following pushback from the billionaire Moroun family, which owns the competing Ambassador Bridge and is a significant Republican donor.

A ribbon-cutting event had been scheduled for June 12 to officially open the $6.4-billion bridge, but a White House source told The Canadian Press that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick intervened.