CANADA CANCELS JOINT BRIDGE CEREMONY AMID US TRADE DISPUTE

Canada has cancelled a planned joint ceremony with the United States to mark the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. The decision followed Donald Trump's announcement of a 50% tariff on most Canadian goods. Jenna Ghassabeh, spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, stated that "in light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries". Canada now plans to hold its own ceremony on Friday instead.

The 1.5-mile bridge spans the Detroit River and was originally scheduled to open with a joint ribbon-cutting on 12 June, but that ceremony was postponed after officials said the two countries were working to resolve outstanding issues. Trump accused Canada of unfairly discriminating against US automobiles, alcohol and dairy products. Two US officials, speaking anonymously, said they still expected the bridge to open to traffic on 27 July, though they expressed less certainty than previously. Canada financed the bridge's construction under an agreement allowing it to recover costs through toll revenue, an arrangement the Trump administration had sought to alter.

The project has been under construction since 2018 and cost nearly $4.4bn. It remains unclear whether the United States will hold a separate opening ceremony. Officials from both countries had reached an agreement earlier this month to proceed with opening the bridge after years of negotiations dating back to when Rick Snyder was Michigan governor.