by
Rick Snyder [Photo from North American International Auto
Ex-Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder penned a opinion piece this week in the Detroit News titled: "Trump wrong about Gordie Howe Bridge."
Snyder, who was governor when the deal was made, writes that he couldn't help but weigh in on Truth Social post by President Trump threatening to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor unless Canada renegotiates terms of the deal and also treats the U.S. better when it comes to trade.
He first points to Trump's comment: "They (Canada) own both the Canada and the United States sides." He then notes: This is incorrect.
He writes:
Canada and the state of Michigan are 50/50 owners of the new bridge. Canada was wonderful and financed the entire bridge. They will get repaid with interest from the tolls. Michigan and the United States got their half-ownership with no investment. That is a great deal.
He addresses another comment:
(It was) built with virtually no U.S. content." This is incorrect, he notes, then writes:
There was a waiver of the Buy America Act for the actual bridge part of the construction project. Why? Because half the bridge is in Canada. Buy American should not apply to a project that is half outside our country. The workers and materials for the bridge construction have come from both countries. The U.S. customs plaza and the Michigan-side approach to work have been built with U.S. materials and workers, just as the Canadian equivalents have been built with Canadian resources.
He also writes:
You may wonder who loses if the GHIB is delayed or stopped:
- Obviously, Canada. They have a huge investment in the bridge.
- U.S. and Canadian companies. The Ambassador Bridge has hindered commerce for decades and increased costs for manufacturing operations. The GHIB will solve these problems and provide for faster economic growth on both sides.
- U.S. and Canadian workers. The GHIB will create new jobs in logistics and other areas on both sides.
