Why is President Trump suddenly trying to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge that's expected to open soon and connect Michigan and Canada? Could it be his desire to create chaos and more distractions, the fact that he's fighting with Canada, or possibly it's because a billionaire donor appears to have asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutknick for a favor? My guess is that it's all three.
The busiest northern border crossing in the United States is the one between Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Billions of dollars of manufacturing and agricultural goods cross this border every day, as well as essential workers and professionals.
This corridor is economically vital for the United States and crucially important to our national security.
Currently, a single, privately owned toll bridge, the Ambassador Bridge, dominates this critical trade corridor. It is owned by the billionaire Moroun family. For decades, policymakers on both sides of the aisle, security experts and business leaders have agreed on the necessity of a second bridge, both for our national security as well as issues related to costs and the flow of commerce. But the Moroun family has relentlessly fought to maintain its monopoly on controlling the only international bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor. This is a preview of Debbie Stabenow's latest column. Read the full column here. |
