An Appeal to Patriotism in the Hopes of Blocking a Canadian Bridge to Detroit

Border controversies now have a northern front, too.

1 minute read

July 5, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Detroit Bridge

Susan Zaide / Shutterstock

Todd Spangler reports on a new chapter in the battle by the Moroun family, "which owns and operates Detroit's Ambassador Bridge," to keep a rival bridge from being built to bridge Detroit to Canada.

The Morouns have spent years "arguing that a Canadian-built, Canadian-financed rival bridge makes no economic sense, violates the law and will unfairly hurt its business," according to Spangler.

Now the Morouns are pleading patriotism, and appealing to President Donald Trump with a new television commercial aired on Fox & Friends and was posted on Vimeo but has since been removed.

The advertisement comes against the backdrop of a trade spat between the Trump Administration and Canada as well as ongoing human rights concerns at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Trump Administration's trade policies have already been blamed for making infrastructure projects more expensive. Earlier in the Trump presidency, it seemed like the U.S.-Canada border would remain a great deal more permeable than the U.S.-Mexico border.

To follow up the news about the new commercial, John Gallagher writes a column criticizing the Moroun family.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 in The Detroit Free Press

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

7 hours ago - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight