One Billionaire Family Blocked This Bridge for 20 Years. Canada Built It Anyway — All $6.4 Billion.

By The Decision Room

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Canada paid the full C$6.4 billion for the Gordie Howe International Bridge — the largest cable-stayed span in North America, crossing the busiest commercial corridor between the two countries. The United States paid nothing; Canada even funded the American customs plaza and Michigan's highway interchange, because the state legislature — lobbied by the billionaire Moroun family, owners of the rival Ambassador Bridge since 1979 — refused to contribute. Then, in February 2026, Matthew Moroun donated $1 million to a pro-Trump super PAC and met with the Commerce Secretary. Weeks later, Trump threatened to block the finished bridge from opening, demanding "at least one half" of the asset. The June opening was cancelled at Washington's request. The price of finally opening on July 27: 50% of net toll revenues for 15 years flowing to a US-controlled fund — plus a clause preventing the new bridge from cutting tolls below regional averages, protecting the Ambassador's pricing. In this video: th

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