U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has firmly rejected suggestions that political donations from the family behind the Ambassador Bridge played any role in delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Responding to questions about reports linking the delay to a US$1 million donation made by billionaire Matthew Moroun to President Donald Trump’s political action committee earlier this year, Hoekstra said there was “absolutely not” any connection. He stressed that the decision to postpone the bridge’s opening was made jointly by the Canadian and U.S. governments and was unrelated to the Moroun family or its business interests.
The opening ceremony, including a planned ribbon-cutting event, was cancelled last month at the request of U.S. officials. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney later explained that both countries were still addressing technical and operational matters before the bridge could officially open.
Speculation increased after a report claimed that Matthew Moroun met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shortly before President Trump suggested on social media that the bridge’s opening could be blocked unless the United States received compensation. However, Hoekstra dismissed any suggestion of outside influence, maintaining that the delay was based solely on government coordination and technical preparations required before the major cross-border infrastructure project enters service.