President Trump imposes new tariffs on 60 countries over forced labor laws
President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports from 60 countries for failing to stop products made with forced labor.
President Donald Trump said on Friday, July 24, that it was “fine” that Canada excluded the United States from the opening ceremony of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge after it threatened to impose new 50% tariffs.
In a post on Truth Social on July 24, the president said it was “okay” that the U.S. was excluded from the event because Canada pays “significant” tariffs.
“Canada declined the United States’ invitation to open the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine given that Canada pays a significant amount of tariffs to the United States,” Trump said.
The new bridge, named specifically after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, who played for the Detroit Red Wings, is scheduled to open on July 27 for passenger and commercial traffic between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Mr. Howe passed away in June 2016 at the age of 88.
In the same Truth Social post, Trump said the original agreement to manage the bridge was “no longer in effect,” adding that it was “badly negotiated by the previous administration.”
President Trump said, “We have changed the terms of the agreement so that the United States receives 50% of the profits.”
tense history
Back in February, President Trump threatened to block the bridge’s opening, citing Canada’s restrictions on the sale of American alcohol as well as disagreements over tariffs and a trade deal between Canada and China.
Canada fully funded the bridge, and construction began in 2018.
President Trump claimed that the United States would get half of all profits, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States would not share in toll revenue.
Carney said at a July 23 press conference that Canada would not share in toll revenue from the new bridge until it recouped its initial investment.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
