Among the tariffs of the US President Donald Trump, which caused a trade war with Canada, Cross -border tours have fallen Before the expected opening of the new international bridge connecting both countries this fall.
Canadians – not Americans – are gaining the entire bill for the international Gordie Howe bridge.
In 2024 The price increased by about $ 700 million According to Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) up to $ 6.4 billion.
Although the exact opening date has not yet been issued, September was the target. The delay of the original November premiere has been determined for problems related to Covid-19 pandemic.
The Gordie Howe Bridge is located west of the other two crosses along the Detroit River, which connect Windsor and Detroit: Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, both of which bring traffic directly to Windsor streets.
Bridge Gordie Howe will distract traffic from more populated areas and directly connect the 401 and I-75 motorways in Michigan.
On the heels of the recently introduced Trump tariffs – in particular taking into account the automotive industry – border crossings in Canada have fallen significantly. This includes a sharp decrease in almost 67,000 vehicles at two Windsor crossings in March compared to the same period last year, in accordance with the numbers provided by the Bridge and Tunnel operators Association.
Asked if the trade war influenced something related to the construction of the Gordie Howe bridge or the projections around the level of traffic, the spokesman for WDB Manny Paiva said that his agency was not able to comment only after the end of the federal election on April 28.
“Our media interaction is limited to the support of the democratic process,” he said.
If the political and economic climate between the neighboring countries hits the opening of the bridge, Shooshan Danagoulian expects traffic and trade worse.
“I think we should expect reduced forecasts,” said the economics professor at Wayne State University at Detroit, Mich.
“At the same time, we should not lose the fact that the bridge was built with a (long) schedule … and not only one presidency.”
Danagoulian said no matter how seriously the relationships between Canada and the United States should not affect the overall future profitability of the bridge.
“Regardless of the losses in trade, trade and transactions that the bridge will see after opening, in the long run it will make up more than it will compensate for bringing benefits to people living in the country. Therefore, the return on investment in a short period may not be the best predictor of the usefulness of the bridge.”
According to Danagouliana, American producers and consumers would simply accept higher trading costs with Canada and buy these products.
“I do not believe that there is enough space to … change their consumption patterns in this way. I expect in a new norm, we will all pay much more for nothing.”
“Still be optimistic”
Ryan Donally, the general director of the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes because it refers to crossing Gordie Howe despite the trade war.
“I will still be optimistic,” said Donally.
“I have to think that calmer heads will win … that it will be Blip on the radar.”
Donally called the bridge a “multi -generational investment”, which symbolizes long -term relations between two countries.
“Do I think that this will potentially change Canada's strategy in the long run, because it refers to the United States? Yes, to some extent … (but) I still think … that globalization will matter, because it depends on where you are in the world, and whether it is the cost of benefits, or the benefits or benefits of skills.”
Referring to the 401 to 1-75 motorway. He says it's basically the same way.
Donally said that the attractiveness of joining Montreal with Florida without a blow remains a fascinating option for travelers and partners in transport transport and other industries.
“This free … Easy movement of goods and services on the border and in the entire extremely important main economic artery was facilitated by the Gordie Howe Bridge.”
“Extremely grateful” Canada
The head of the Detroit Regional Chamber said that Americans and people from Michigan – especially those from the automotive industry – are “extremely grateful” to the Canadian government for digging deep and building a bridge.
Sandy Baruah said that Trump's tariff policy is “very work in progress” and was loud in relation to their strategy.
“It's not pretty at the moment,” he said.
“This is a very wrong move, especially for Michigan, because our economy is so integrated with Canada.”
Baruah said that the transition through the bridge would take some time if the current economic and political environment was continued.
“Will there be a varied position and before tariff policy can be? Of course. We hope that these tariff problems can certainly be resolved to fall.”
Baruah said that the Gordie Howe Bridge was a natural increase in the demand for trade between countries.
“When I look at the bridge, I see it. I see how it reacts to a very real commercial and business need. That's why the Canadian government released its treasures to build a bridge.”
According to Baruah, people excited about the bridge are the same people who are not excited about the president's tariff policy.
Transport compounds are strictly monitoring
If the tariffs are extended until the Gordie Howe Bridge is opened, he expects the new and existing journeys to be “undoubtedly”, said Marco Beghetto, spokesman for both the Ontario passing association and Canadian Trucking Alliance.
“We hear that there is some confusion in the entire supply chain on both sides of the border. The sender, carriers, customs brokers … try to understand changes in their custom processes in flight,” said Beghetto.
Beghetto said that confusion is a “steep learning curve” for everyone about how to follow and where tariffs and responsibilities will be used.
“It can be tightened (on the Gordie Buda Bridge this year) … This is a new bridge with new processes, and then add tariffs in addition. It creates a complex situation … We are preparing to influence.