Here's a story about infrastructure, international trade, and the occasional political threat. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in her final State of the State address, delivered some news that cuts through the noise: the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new link between Michigan and Ontario, Canada, is going to open. This isn't just another road project; it's the first new bridge connecting the two in over a century.

That announcement comes with some background music, courtesy of former President Donald Trump. He had previously threatened to block the bridge, arguing that Canada has treated the U.S. "very unfairly for decades." His specific gripe? He claimed the bridge was built with "virtually no" U.S. content, sidestepping the Buy American Act thanks to a waiver from the Obama administration. So, while Whitmer is talking about ribbon-cutting, Trump was talking about pulling the plug.

The bridge wasn't Trump's only issue with the northern neighbor. He also slammed Canada for a deal with China that allows tens of thousands of Chinese-made electric vehicles into the Canadian market at lower tariffs. Trump's response was a classic Trump move: a threat. He said he'd impose 100% tariffs on Canada if it made deals with China. It's the kind of statement that makes trade lawyers reach for the aspirin.

While all this bridge-and-tariff talk was happening, there was a separate, quieter development in the world of aviation. Canada's Transport Regulator certified General Dynamics Corp.'s (GD) Gulfstream aircraft. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hailed the move, which followed earlier signals from the FAA that it was coming. This is notable because it stands in contrast to previous actions. Trump had earlier revoked certification for all Canadian-made aircraft operating in the U.S., which included the Global Express jet made by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier (BDRBF).

So, you've got a bridge moving forward despite political headwinds, and you've got aircraft certification swinging back after a previous revocation. It's a reminder that cross-border projects and regulations often operate on a different timeline than political cycles. The bridge, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe, seems to have checked enough boxes to skate past the threats. For now, the plan is to open it, giving Michigan and Ontario a new piece of critical infrastructure, regardless of who's making threats from the podium.