Trump administration 2024-2028

[mariomike]

Like this?

I don't believe Mitch was DOA.

If paramedics pronounced him at home, they would have lifted him into bed, and called the Coroner for removal.

Unless DC EMS does removals as a courtesy?

They may have ROSC at his home.

That’s possible, but unlikely given the slow cadence of the paramedics loading him into the ambulance, lack of visible equipment, etc.

One thing caught my eye,"His bare, uncovered feet visible". I never saw or heard of that.
.
Sounds he was alive on arrival at hospital,

People can probably put away their fantasies about McConnell. Scott Jennings has reported talking with Mitch at length this morning. See here.

 

[brihard]

Looks like we’ve been strong armed on the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Further evidence that under Trump, deals signed with the Americans aren’t worth the ink it costs to sign them.

Delayed Gordie Howe International Bridge to open at end of July, Canada to forgo revenue

After weeks of delays and public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open at the end of the month, but Canada is set to forego more revenue than initially agreed upon.

www.ctvnews.ca

I suspect that on our side it will have come down to an analysis of the costs of foregone tolls under a new agreement versus the costs of foregone economic activity and efficiency from not opening it. If so, that’s the correct analysis to make. Not unlike oil pipelines, the economic benefit of the bridge is not realized in tolls, but the vast other economic activity it permits.

Still, it’s annoying, and another reminder of the risks now inherent in deals struck with the Americans. This wasn’t even originally a deal with the federal government, but with the state of Michigan. It looks like the Feds simply refused to open up the port of entry without major concessions on Canada’s part.

Money up front with them from now on I suppose.

 

[brihard]

And further to last, more details from Global.

“A source with knowledge of negotiations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about them, said that under the deal, Canada gets 50 per cent of the toll profits — after operational expenses — and the other half will go to a U.S-run regional development project for a 15-year time frame.

The agreement also requires the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to consult the U.S. on any toll changes greater than 10 per cent, the source said, or if it’s looking to lower tolls below those of comparable regional averages.“

So there we have it- unsurprisingly it’s just naked corruption benefitting the Moroun family.

Gordie Howe International Bridge to open July 27 after delay - National | Globalnews.ca

The announcement was made Friday by the Canadian government, which said it had reached an agreement with the state of Michigan with support from the U.S. government.

globalnews.ca

 

[Jarnhamar]

Looks like we’ve been strong armed on the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Found this annoying from the story.

When asked on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia if he’d be open to renegotiating the terms to open the bridge, Carney said “I think we’re willing to clarify aspects of the current arrangements.”

A Canadian PM hasn't been in Saudi Arabia in 26 years and he gets pestered there about fluff Canada-US bridge questions.

 

[Czech_pivo]

And further to last, more details from Global.

“A source with knowledge of negotiations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about them, said that under the deal, Canada gets 50 per cent of the toll profits — after operational expenses — and the other half will go to a U.S-run regional development project for a 15-year time frame.

The agreement also requires the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to consult the U.S. on any toll changes greater than 10 per cent, the source said, or if it’s looking to lower tolls below those of comparable regional averages.“

So there we have it- unsurprisingly it’s just naked corruption benefitting the Moroun family.

Gordie Howe International Bridge to open July 27 after delay - National | Globalnews.ca

The announcement was made Friday by the Canadian government, which said it had reached an agreement with the state of Michigan with support from the U.S. government.

globalnews.ca

Now it will come down to ‘the market’ and people making the choice to use or not use the old Ambassador bridge.
I for one will not be using the Ambassador bridge ever going forward when visiting friends/family in the future in Michigan. I will use the tunnel, which is jointly owned by the city of Windsor and the city of Detroit and the new bridge.

 

[brihard]

Found this annoying from the story.



A Canadian PM hasn't been in Saudi Arabia in 26 years and he gets pestered there about fluff Canada-US bridge questions.

It’s a significant thing though. Very significant economic impact on a daily basis from it being open or not.

 

[Jarnhamar]

It’s a significant thing though. Very significant economic impact on a daily basis from it being open or not.

What's the chances Carney would have said no he's not willing to renegotiate? Just seems like opportunity wasted on low hanging fruit to me.

 

[brihard]

What's the chances Carney would have said no he's not willing to renegotiate? Just seems like opportunity wasted on low hanging fruit to me.

Saying a flat no would be stupid. Yes we could stonewall on a point of principle for two and a half more years, but what would that cost our economy? It would be a classic ‘good money after bad’. Voluntarily foregone economic gains are still a cost.

We continue to see that previously agreed upon rule sets no longer matter. We’ll bear that in mind for all future transactions. But faced with a bridge sitting there ready to open that our industry and supply chains need to work more efficiently, we have to make decisions based on the facts as they are. Make the best of the individual situation, and continually reassess what other situations to enter.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

And further to last, more details from Global.

“A source with knowledge of negotiations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about them, said that under the deal, Canada gets 50 per cent of the toll profits — after operational expenses — and the other half will go to a U.S-run regional development project for a 15-year time frame.

The agreement also requires the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to consult the U.S. on any toll changes greater than 10 per cent, the source said, or if it’s looking to lower tolls below those of comparable regional averages.“

So there we have it- unsurprisingly it’s just naked corruption benefitting the Moroun family.

Gordie Howe International Bridge to open July 27 after delay - National | Globalnews.ca

The announcement was made Friday by the Canadian government, which said it had reached an agreement with the state of Michigan with support from the U.S. government.

globalnews.ca

After the bridge opens, who says we have to abide by the new deal? If the US isn't bound by its word, why should we?

Go back to keeping all the toll money until the bridge is paid for, then split it with Michigan only. After all, the money is collected on the Canadian side by the Canadian corporation of the bridge.

You can always defend before the courts, if they are stupid enough to go there that the "new" deal is void because (1) the US didn't abide by its own original deal and (2) used duress to force the signing of the new deal.

 

[brihard]

An interesting catch someone made- the 15 year 50/50 split specifies “profits” as opposed to revenue. There may be a lot of theatre but not that much meat to this. The devil will be in the details.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2075802755235524795

 

[HavokFour]

Probably going to need to see the actual agreement. From what I'm understanding it's 50% right off the bat for 15 years after which we go straight back to the original agreement until we've fully recouped, then it's back to 50/50 again.

EDIT: Worded into more readable wording.

 

[brihard]

Probably going to need to see the actual agreement. From what I'm understanding it's 50% right off the bat for 15 years after which we go straight back to the original agreement after that period until we've fully recouped, then it's back to 50/50 again.

Right- and 50% of what exactly? That math will matter greatly.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Right- and 50% of what exactly? That math will matter greatly.

Playing devils advocate - Trump over turns Michigan’s portion of ownership and ‘sells’ Moroun that portion of the bridge. Moroun is then allowed by Trump to impose a ‘special’ toll for vehicles entering and exiting the US.
Moroun then declares the Ambassador Bridge as unsafe and closes it down.

 

[MilEME09]

50% of profit? I feel like we just pulled a fast one on them, I doubt the bridge will turn a profit for atleast 10 years.

 

[brihard]

50% of profit? I feel like we just pulled a fast one on them, I doubt the bridge will turn a profit for atleast 10 years.

Probably depends on how the financing is amortized.

 

[dapaterson]

Probably depends on how the financing is amortized.

If anyone knows all about lying about real estate construction costs and property value, it's DJT.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Trump over turns Michigan’s portion of ownership and ‘sells’ Moroun that portion of the bridge.

There are a few things that even a moron (Trump) can't do, even for a Moroun. You can't sell that which is not yours. Ownership of the bridge is clearly and unambiguously that of the State of Michigan and Canada. For Trump to take it can only be done by way of expropriation, which, in the US, can only be done by way of fair market value compensation. It means that, to do that, Trump would have to pay half the cost of the bridge to the State of Michigan (ownership value) before they even get the first payment under their deal with Canada. They would look at that as a windfall: money now, don't have to wait for the cost to be recouped by Canada.

Trump and or Moroun, on the other hand, would not get anything until Canada has repaid itself in full for construction.

Now, here's an interesting twist: Generally, recouping the cost of construction for an asset such as this is done over a period between twenty and thirty years. By that time, the bridge will probably start to need more expensive repairs and mid-life maintenance. That would have to be paid out of the bridge revenue and shared equally by both owners at that point. So while the revenues would be shared half ad half at that point, the cost of maintenance for each party would be such that the likelihood is neither of them would be left with much money as a result of this deal. It's not the El Dorado.

P.S.: Trump so acting would require using the US Eminent Domain rules for expropriation. I don't know that the State of Michigan would appreciate having the Federal government take over its part of the bridge on the legal basis of "benefiting the public" when the public, as represented by the State of Michigan is already the owner. I could see an interesting US court battle over that one, with many states intervening with amicus curiae briefs on behalf of Michigan's position (i.e.: Federal government, keep your sticky fingers out of the states pies.

 

[Altair]

Right- and 50% of what exactly? That math will matter greatly.

Seems like profit.

Just make sure there isn't any.

 

[MilEME09]

Seems like profit.

Just make sure there isn't any.

Sorry eh but we have additional costs, so no profit this year laughs

 

[The Bread Guy]

A Canadian PM hasn't been in Saudi Arabia in 26 years and he gets pestered there about fluff Canada-US bridge questions.

Both sides are in the usual can’t win position. Media will get dinged for not asking about a story potentially affecting cross-border trade significantly - in the bag, bought & paid for. Now they get dinged for not leading with a story that’s been in the news cycle for a day or so?

Feeding the 25/7 news goat means anyone can ask anything anytime.