US, Canada strike deal on tolls to let new Gordie Howe bridge open on July 27

A new $4.7 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, ​Ontario, which President Donald Trump threatened to block, is set to open on July 27 after the US and Canada struck ‌a deal on toll revenue, the Canadian government said late on Friday.The Gordie Howe International Bridge had been set to open in June.In February, Trump cited financial concerns and threatened to block the bridge named after the legendary Detroit Red Wings hockey player.Canada said it struck a deal with the US government on “a series of cooperative measures focused on toll ​governance and transparency, as well as investments in the region, including through the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a ​portion of profits from bridge operations.”President Trump said on Saturday he had secured a “much better deal” for the United ⁠States, allowing the opening of the bridge to proceed.“The original deal made was unacceptable to me,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.“The new deal ​is great, and fair.”Michigan Republican US Senate candidate Mike Rogers said earlier on WJR radio that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told him the administration reached ​a deal that will be announced in the coming days to allow the bridge to open soon.Rogers said the US “went from getting no revenue” to getting significant revenue.

“We’re going to get the bridge open and we’re going to get a much better deal,” Rogers said.A source confirmed a deal had been reached and that the US would get 50% ​of toll revenue and be able to veto any toll hike that is 10% more than the current tolls.Lutnick struck a deal after talks ​in recent weeks with Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister in charge of US trade, the source said.The bridge has become an issue in Michigan’s US Senate race as Trump’s Republicans ‌campaign to ⁠hold their majority in that branch of Congress.A formal ribbon-cutting had been planned for mid-June.Morning Report deliver...