The Biden White House has reportedly urged PM Justin Trudeau to use his federal powers to destroy the truck blockade that has stopped the flow of auto parts on the Ambassador Bridge.
For the previous four days, the Canadian “Freedom Convoy” protests have stopped traffic on the main road connecting Ontario to Detroit, forcing auto plants in both nations to either cease operations or slow down due to the delay in parts.
“The White House said HHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg spoke with their Canadian counterparts and pushed them to help stop the standoff,” reported the AP.
“A federal government official stated they are not ruling any other options out,” AP said. “The official spoke with anonymity because they were not approved to speak publicly.”
The bridge has 25 percent of all trade between the U.S. and Canada; effects of the blockades were quickly felt by automakers and mid-west economies.
Both Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Teamsters have denounced the ongoing blockades.
“It is hitting production lines and paychecks. That is unacceptable,” said Whitmer.
Exactly the sort of federal powers that Justin Trudeau might employ to stop the blockade was not discussed, though the leader of Canada has said the military is off the table for now. Local tow truck companies have not cooperated with authorities.
Trudeau has stayed firm in his drive to keep the mandates and covid-19 protocols as many provincial premiers have chosen to scale back restrictions.
“Canadians can protest, to disagree. We will always guard that right,” Trudeau tweeted this week. “But let us be clear: They don’t have the right to blockade our whole democracy or economy, or our fellow citizens’ daily lives. It must stop.”
Windsor, Ontario, Mayor Drew Dilkens stated during a media conference on Thursday that he will be asking for an injunction to remove the protesters from Ambassador Bridge. He also stated that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has promised to give tow equipment to remove the trucks.
“My message is easy: reopen traffic,” Whitmer said in a media release. “In Michigan, our economy keeps growing because of hardworking folks and small businesses. Now, that momentum is in danger. Commercial traffic has stopped at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up elsewhere.”