The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, June 26, edition that The Gordie Howe International Bridge should be one of the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossings. The Globe's Tim Shufelt writes that had it opened as planned two weeks ago, it would have handled at least 150,000 vehicles and over $1-billion in trade by now. Instead, its empty expanse highlights the challenges in Canada''s economic relationship with the U.S.
By indefinitely blocking the bridge's opening, President Donald Trump has put a key trade route in limbo and expanded his economic pressure tactics against Canada.
If tariffs are the weaponization of trade, this is the weaponization of infrastructure.
In this mean age of economic warfare, middle powers are desperate for leverage. Mr. Trump says Canada has none, but he's wrong. Canada's leverage comes from its role as a vital supplier and as the primary export destination for roughly 35 U.S. states.
The U.S. does need Canada. It needs a free-trade deal with Canada, it needs our resources and it needs this bridge.
Even if the bridge opens tomorrow, however, the damage has been done. The risk of another closing will hang over it so long as Mr. Trump is in power.
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