Trump threatens to block opening of new U.S.-Canada bridge

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to block the opening of a new bridge linking the United States and Canada amid rising tensions between the two North American neighbors.

"I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

"With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical," Trump went ahead, adding that he plans to "start (related) negotiations, IMMEDIATELY."

Although Trump did not name the bridge in his post, he appeared to be referring to the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a six-lane bridge set to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

Construction of the bridge began in 2018, and it is expected to open early this year. The project, estimated to cost 4.7 billion U.S. dollars, is being financed and overseen by the Canadian government, according to an ABC News report.