In yet another example of corrupt crony capitalism we see a billionaire asking Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for a favor. The owner of the Ambassador Bridge which has been the primary crossing between Detroit and Canada doesn’t want the newer, better Gordie Howe Bridge cutting into his profits. (btw he just increased the toll charges) Hours later Lutnick called Trump who then publicly threatened to block the bridge’s planned opening. To me at least this stinks to high heaven.
Lutnick is already taking heat over having lied about Epstein. That’s a different subject but he got raked over the coals in a Congressional hearing about that separate issue. This however is directly related to his duties as Commerce Secretary. This article from Raw Story doesn’t talk about any donations that have already been made to Trump/the GOP or any that might have been promised during the meeting the rich dude had with Lutnick in DC on Monday. Still, it’s logical that some ‘palm greasing’ went on. Think about it. This is a chance for Trump to crow about “getting Canada to pay the bill” for a project that benefits us as much as them. His MAGAs would eat that up with a spoon. Instead, after Lutnick’s call he switched to opposing the bridge? Don’t for a second try to convince me corruption isn’t involved here.
The Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario is a major crossing and a vital economic link between the U.S. and Canada. It’s the busiest crossing point between our two countries in fact. It is also a hassle for Detroit since the U.S. side is deep in the city. And it’s old. (100 years) It’s also controlled privately by Matthew Moroun, and his family. Since it’s a toll bridge and such a major crossing point not just for people but trucks carrying goods between us and Canada a big source of income. Moroun of course wants to keep his monopoly. A competitor with a newer bridge, better facilities for processing traffic using the bridge which bypasses downtown and connects directly with I-75 will definitely hurt Moroun’s bottom line.
So he met with Lutnick in Washington on Monday, two officials briefed on the meeting told the Times. The officials said Lutnick later spoke by phone with Trump about the matter. Trump, who used to strongly support the new bridge/project (Canada paid for it so it makes sense Trump would love it on that basis alone) Trump suddenly changed his tune:
Not long after, the MAGA leader took to his Truth Social platform to rail against the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, which he threatened to block unless Canada addressed “a long list of grievances,” the Times reported Tuesday.
The family has spent decades trying to block the publicly backed international bridge through litigation and lobbying efforts, and “had previously called on Mr. Trump to halt the construction of bridge — which, once opened, would compete with the Ambassador Bridge for the more than $300 million in daily cross-border trade,” according to the report.
Trump of course lied in his statement about multiple things. Again, Canada paid virtually all of the over six billion dollars to create this new crossing. Also, unlike what Trump has claimed the agreement is that the state of Michigan and Canada will jointly be responsible for operations. This bridge has been needed and Canada, being a good neighbor and knowing they’d benefit as much as us generously fronted the money. Then worked with the U.S. and Michigan to build this. You can read more about how and why the project came to be in an article posted yesterday by Click On Detroit. It only takes a minute or so but gives a whole host of reasons why folks on our side and the people of Detroit are excited about having this new crossing.
Trump is probably furious because he won’t be able to stop this. And I for one am not going to go boo-hoo for some billionaire family that tried to leverage their money to maintain a monopoly and will have to deal with competition. Conservatives have for my entire life touted the merits of letting the free market decide. Of course out the other side of their mouths most of them are working folks to gain a monopoly and NOT have to compete in a fair marketplace! So, as far as I’m concerned the Moroun family can suck it! As for Lutnick, let’s hope this blows up into a big story that along with his CYA crap with Epstein will be the “one-two punch” that forces Trump to fire him.
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
So, Canada paid for the bridge project, purchased US steel and used US labour, and now trump thinks it’s time to punish Canada for exploiting the US? I think Canada has had enough and won’t enter into any future agreements with the US, because with a lawless regime they aren’t worth the paper.
Maybe Canada’s PM should threaten to blow up the bridge unless Drumpf coughs up $100 billion to keep him from doing it. Give Drumpf 2 weeks to pay up or the bridge goes bye-bye (and if the destruction just happens to “damage” the old bridge in the process, forcing the owner to shell out big bucks to repair and improve the bridge, well, the proverbial chef’s kiss). Sure the PM might take a hit from Canadians upset at the action but he could always spin it as “Drumpf continually belittles us and now, he tried to extort us in paying for something WE paid for and WE built–with little help from the American government–and, after his behavior for the past year, is it worth our time to even do business with the US? Perhaps if the US gets a sane man back in the White House, we can renegotiate the construction of a new bridge but one which will put Canada First–our trucks will be able to use the bridge for free but Americans coming into Canada will have to pay a toll and then pay to return.”