DETROIT - The debut of a Canadian-U.S. span over the Detroit River, which President Donald Trump had earlier warned could face blockage, was postponed Thursday because of pending matters.

In a release issued ahead of a planned Friday ribbon-cutting event, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority noted that Canada and the United States have decided to postpone the bridge launch to allow time for settling remaining concerns. The statement offered no specifics on the nature of those concerns or the expected duration of the postponement.

The 1.5-mile-long (2.4-kilometer-long) Gordie Howe International Bridge crosses the Detroit River and links Detroit with Windsor, Ontario. Jointly owned by Canada and Michigan, the structure had been slated to welcome traffic later this month.

Plans for the opening became uncertain after Trump posted on social media in February insisting that Canada transfer at least half ownership of the bridge to the U.S. federal government and meet additional unspecified conditions amid ongoing trade disputes.

Michigan leaders and the White House had discussed the bridge for months after the post, with expectations that the opening would proceed on Friday. Invitations for the ceremony were distributed this week after talks between Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.

A statement from Whitmer spokesperson Bobby Leddy indicated that the project exemplifies bipartisan and international collaboration, with the governor anticipating attendance at the ribbon-cutting when scheduled.

Internal divisions inside the Trump administration disrupted those arrangements, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposed proceeding with the opening, according to two individuals familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The White House offered no immediate comment Thursday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Thursday evening that at the request of the United States, officials agreed to postpone the opening to address outstanding concerns.

He noted that several technical points have surfaced and will be resolved through discussions with the United States.

Despite the delay, officials expressed confidence that the roughly $4.4 billion project will still open in due course.

Sandy Baruah, president of the Detroit Regional Chamber and former U.S. assistant secretary of commerce, urged perspective, noting that the organization, Michigan and partners have pursued the bridge for 20 years. Whether it opens July 1, Aug. 1 or Sept. 1, he said, the focus remains on the long term.

Named for the late Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, the bridge is poised to serve as another key economic link between Canada and the United States.

The project was arranged by former Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and funded by Canada to reduce congestion at the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Construction began in 2018.

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, indicated she views the delay as a minor issue based on assurances received.

She described the matter as among the most bipartisan in Michigan and expressed frustration that the agreement cannot be finalized promptly.

Detroit and Windsor have maintained close ties for generations, with residents crossing the border regularly for leisure and retail. Windsor recorded a population of about 230,000 in 2021, and like Detroit, its economy centers on manufacturing and autos.

Commercial traffic between the cities has primarily used the nearly century-old, privately owned Ambassador Bridge, located nearer to downtown Detroit than the Gordie Howe Bridge.

The Ambassador Bridge served as the busiest commercial crossing until last year, when truck volume on the Blue Water Bridge between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, exceeded it, per the Bridge and Tunnel Operators Association.

In 2025, roughly 2.1 million trucks used the Blue Water Bridge compared with just over 1.8 million on the Ambassador Bridge. About 3.5 million passenger vehicles crossed the Ambassador Bridge last year, while 1.6 million used the Blue Water Bridge.

Combined, more than 9.2 million vehicles traversed those two bridges in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

More than 3.7 million cars and SUVs also crossed via the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel last year.

Both existing bridges and the tunnel operate at capacity, and the new bridge is expected to enhance efficiency for commercial and personal travel, Baruah said.

He added that this reflects the proper role of government in facilitating business and commerce.

Cappelletti reported from Washington.