DETROIT– The tense relationship between the United States and Canada is ruining the celebration of an extraordinary project between the two countries: a new six-lane bridge named after a famous Canadian who played hockey for the Detroit Red Wings.

After years of planning and billions of dollars in construction, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is ready for operation, rising over the Detroit River and connecting Michigan to Ontario.

But a ceremony planned for Friday, with dignitaries from both countries meeting in the middle, was canceled after President Donald Trump this week announced 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods entering the US.

A spokesperson for Canada’s infrastructure minister said holding joint festivities now would be “inappropriate,” although a separate event is scheduled in Windsor, Ont. The bridge is still expected to open to car and truck traffic on Monday, followed by pedestrian and bicycle crossings starting August 5.

More than 70% of Canada’s exports go to the United States, making the United States its largest trading partner. Detroit is the No. 1 port for truck traffic on the U.S.-Canada border, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Those assets, especially auto parts, are worth billions of dollars. For decades, the only route for large commercial trucks between Detroit and Ontario has been the Ambassador Bridge, which is privately owned by the Moroun family’s Detroit International Bridge Co.

Facing a threat to its monopoly over lucrative tolls, the company repeatedly filed legal challenges against the Howe Bridge and even backed a referendum in Michigan in 2012, but lost each time. Construction of the Howe Bridge began in 2018 and Canada covered the cost.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said discussions about an additional bridge began after 9/11, when officials considered what would happen if the Ambassador Bridge was attacked. Another reason was the increase in trade. In the United States, the bridge effort was led by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder before he left office in 2019.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, created by Canada, will operate the bridge. A recent agreement calls for Canada to share some toll revenue with the U.S. government for 15 years. Michigan will also get a share, but not until Canada’s costs are recovered, probably decades from now.

“This will be the most technologically advanced bridge at the time of its opening, and will provide the greatest amount of certainty possible to the trucking industry,” Dilkens told CTV News in Canada this week, adding that “there is a lot of excitement on both sides of the border.”

But any joy has been diluted, at least in the short term, by tension between the United States and Canada.

This week, Trump invoked a section of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods. The US president accused Canada of unfairly discriminating against American cars, alcohol and dairy products.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford fears a trade war. Negotiations are expected before the tariffs take effect in 30 days.

“Canada has been very, very tough on us over the years, for many years, and no other president has done anything about it… Without us, there is no way they can survive,” Trump said in defense of the tariffs.

Trump also criticized Canada over the wildfires, which have sent dangerous smoke to the Midwest and East Coast, saying they were the result of poor forest management. Ford, the Ontario leader, said the blame on the part of U.S. officials is a “disgrace.”

“Maybe they should pay us some damages or something,” said Trump, who, shortly after the start of his second term, even said that Canada should become a US state.

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Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Washington, D.C., contributed to this story.