US-Canada tariff dispute weighs on cross-border ties

A new suspension bridge connecting the United States to Canada recently opened after more than two decades of planning, but only the Canadians showed up to celebrate.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge spans the Detroit River, connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario. It is named after a Canadian hockey player who starred for a US team.

"In normal times, that would be a very, very big celebration, a grand event, with leaders of both countries present," Michigan auto industry spokesperson Glenn Stevens Junior told DW.

In July, US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on a wide range of goods from Canada . A second Trump announcement days later of the doubling of tariffs on Canadian automobiles and auto parts to 50% triggered even more concern for businesses on both sides of the new bridge.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney countered with tariffs between 15% and 50% on $20 billion (€17.2 billion) worth of goods imported from the US.

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The retaliatory measures took effect at 12.01 Eastern Standard Time (05:01 GMT/UST) on Tuesday September 8. Polls by the Canadian non-profit Angus Reid suggested that the majority of Canadians were in favor of a tougher stance in tariffs.

At the same time, Canadian workers feared for their jobs, the polls found.