WASHINGTON ― Democrats in Michigan's congressional delegation wrote Friday to President Donald Trump, urging him to support the opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge on schedule in early 2026 and reiterating its importance to the economy and jobs in Michigan and around the country.

“This critical conduit of international commerce will bring jobs to the United States and support our long-standing relationship with Canada," the Michigan Democrats wrote. "Your recent comments put those benefits and years of bipartisan work towards the opening of the bridge in jeopardy."

The letter comes after Trump abruptly threatened Monday to halt the opening of the new span on the border between Detroit and Windsor, which Canada paid $4.7 billion to build. The structure is jointly owned by Michigan and Canada.

The White House has suggested that Trump wants to renegotiate a key 2013 permit granted during the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama to secure a cut of the toll revenues and "a better deal for the American people."

The eight lawmakers from Michigan expressed "shock" at Trump's threats this week to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, noting his record of support for the project dating back to his first administration.

Two weeks ago, Trump's Department of Homeland Security published a rule on Jan. 30 formally establishing the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a port of entry for both immigration and customs purposes. The rule, which takes effect March 2, indicates that the agency has already completed the assignment of Customs and Border Patrol officers to the bridge's new customs plaza in Detroit.

In the federal rule, DHS stated that the new bridge has the potential to increase international trade between the U.S. and Canada, will create benefits and millions of dollars in savings for the public, and could reduce wait times at all border crossings in the area.

This wasn't the first time Trump indicated support for the new bridge. Back in 2017, Trump, in a joint statement with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said the bridge would serve as "a vital economic link between our two countries."

And in 2020, under Trump, the General Services Administration negotiated and entered into an agreement with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority ― the binational organization established to govern the Gordie Howe span ― for the facilities that CBP will operate from at the bridge, the Michigan Democrats said.

Michigan officials this week have stressed the state's highly integrated relationship with Canada.

Friday's letter to Trump noted that, for the first 11 months of 2025, Michigan imported nearly $40 billion in Canadian goods while exporting more than $19 billion in goods to Canada, "continuing a multi-decade trend in which Michigan has been one of the top two states for exports to and imports from Canada.

“With the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge allowing more capacity for trade flow, it is not far-fetched to suggest that those figures will only increase, cementing Michigan as the most economically significant state to the trade relationship between the United States and Canada," the lawmakers wrote.

None of the Republicans in Michigan's delegation signed Friday's letter. Several top Republicans in the state have defended Trump's change of mind on the bridge, arguing it was appropriate leverage to use in negotiating a trade deal with Canada.

U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, a frontrunner in the Michigan GOP gubernatorial primary, and others said the threat was advantageous toward ensuring Canada doesn't begin working more closely with China.

"President Trump understands how vital it is not only for our economy but also for our national security to make sure that our neighbors are aware of that,” James said on WOOD Radio’s “West Michigan Live.”

“President Trump is using every means and method at his disposal to secure America’s economy and our national security.”

A 2012 agreement between Canada and then-Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, called for Michigan and Canada to share 50-50 ownership of the bridge, with Canada financing the $4.7 billion span and later recouping its investment with toll revenues.

Canada agreed to foot the cost after both the Michigan Legislature and the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama refused to pay for the bridge. Construction began in 2018.

"The president believes that the United States should own at least half of the bridge, have shared authority over what passes across it, and participate in the economic benefits generated by its use. All international infrastructure projects require a presidential permit, and the president is within his absolute right to amend it," a White House official told The Detroit News on Tuesday.

"Under the current terms, Canada gets all their money back with interest before any money ever flows to Michigan. The president wants a better deal for the American people."

Michigan Democrats in the GOP-controlled U.S. House on Thursday introduced legislation seeking to prohibit federal officials, "including the president," from delaying or impeding the opening or attempting to close the Gordie Howe International Bridge and its port of entry unless approved by Congress or requested by the governor of Michigan.

It also gives the state the right of action to sue in federal court to compel compliance with the law.

The top Democrat on the House Oversight panel, U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, on Thursday also wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick seeking details about his communications, documents and recent meeting with Matthew Moroun, son of the late Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun.

Moroun met with Lutnick on Monday, hours before Trump posted his threat to block the bridge from opening on his Truth Social platform, the New York Times reported, citing two unnamed officials briefed on the meeting.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said this week that the project remains "on track for opening in early 2026."

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