No. of Recommendations: 6
Even more blatant:
Remember Tim and I jousting over whether the new bridge between Detroit and Windsor would ever be built? Well, the bridge is complete. There was supposed to be a grand opening a bit over a week ago. But no. A day or two after meeting with representatives of the for-profit, private, company, that owns the other bridge across the river, Trump decreed the new bridge would not open. No-one is willing to talk about the delay. Even the Gov of Michigan, who is term limited, and will be out of office next January, is not talking. For the record, the Canadians paid the entire cost of the bridge. iirc, the Canadians even paid for the customs plaza on the US side of the bridge. But Trump the Extortionist is demanding MONEY.
I wonder how big the check was, that Trump received, for this action?
from the net sifter:
President Donald Trump successfully blocked the opening of the nearly finished Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Canada to use as a bargaining chip for trade concessions and bridge ownership demands. The official ribbon-cutting and opening scheduled for mid-June was delayed at the last minute by the U.S. and Canada
The Delay: The U.S. and Canada mutually agreed to delay the opening of the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge. This sudden pause came just days before a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was planned for June 12.
Trump’s Demands: Trump took to social media to demand that Canada turn over at least half of the bridge's ownership to the U.S. federal government and compensate the United States for various trade grievances. He also cited grievances about the lack of U.S. steel used in construction.
The Funding Discrepancy: While Trump demanded "full compensation" for U.S. contributions, the bridge is largely being paid for by the Canadian government. Canada is financing the construction and intends to recoup the multibillion-dollar cost through toll revenues.
Rival Ambitions: The billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge (a competing, privately-owned crossing) met with the U.S. Commerce Secretary hours before Trump publicly lashed out at the new bridge
Living under the thumb of an extortionist.
Steve
