President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of a bridge connecting the US and Canada until Washington is fully compensated for everything it has given to its northern neighbour.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting the Canadian province of Ontario to the US state of Michigan, would not open until Ottawa treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve, Trump wrote on social media.

According to the project's website, the bridge is being funded by the Canadian government but will be publicly owned by both Canada and Michigan.

It is not clear how Trump could block its opening but he said negotiations would begin immediately, without elaborating.

Spanning the Detroit River, the bridge is expected to open to traffic pending formal tests and approvals in early 2026. Construction began in 2018, but the project has been a point of contention between the countries for more than a decade.

As of now, it is estimated to have cost $6.4bn CAD (£3.4bn), according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In his statement on Truth Social, Trump insisted that the US should own at least one half of this asset, suggesting that Canada owns both the Canadian and US sides of the bridge.

Trump's provocative language also included that The Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just 'take advantage of America!' He added, I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them.

While the Moroun family, owners of the neighboring Ambassador Bridge, previously appealed to Trump during his first term to halt construction, arguing it infringed on their toll collection rights, the former President had initially acknowledged the new bridge as a vital economic link between the countries.

Moreover, Trump pointed to trade disputes, mentioning unacceptable tariffs on dairy products and warned that a recent trade deal between Canada and China could negatively impact America.

The Ontario premier's office and the Detroit mayor's office have yet to respond to requests for comment on this newly escalated situation.