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Auchter's Art: Gordie Howe International Bridge

Michigan Public | By John Auchter
Published June 12, 2026 at 7:00 AM EDT
Cartoon in two panels featuring cartoon representations of Canada and the United States. Canada is depicted as a mustachioed Mountie in a red uniform with a maple leaf emblem and a brown wide-brimmed hat. The United States is depicted as Uncle Sam in a red, white, and blue top hat, blue coat, and red-and-white striped pants. In the left panel, Canada enthusiastically tells Uncle Sam: "So excited! The Gordie Howe Bridge will be open very, very soon. I've been investing my money to build this vital infrastructure to promote mutually beneficial trade and develop economic prosperity!" Uncle Sam, looking unimpressed, asks, "What have you been working on?" In the right panel, Uncle Sam replies with eyes closed and a dismissive gesture: "I painted my reflecting pool blue." Canada looks on in stunned silence.
John Auchter
/
For Michigan Public
It's the sort of project that shows the United States at its best. Except, of course, it was Canada that made it happen. (But shout out to the State of Michigan for knowing when to get in on a good deal.)

The Gordie Howe Bridge was supposed to have its ribbon-cutting ceremony the day this cartoon is published (Friday, June 12). But as I write this, the opening has been delayed for "unresolved issues." Those issues could be reasonable — last-minute safety protocols, weather delays pushing back finishing touches, that sort of thing. Or they could be yet even more jerking around by the Trump administration. (Maybe by the time you're reading this, we know why.)

In any case, the bridge will open soon. It's a forward-thinking investment in economic development. It's infrastructure that relieves a bottleneck and encourages trade. It's the sort of project that shows the United States at its best. Except, of course, it was Canada that made it happen. (But shout out to the State of Michigan for knowing when to get in on a good deal.)

Editor's note: John Auchter is a freelance political cartoonist. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Public, its management, or its license holder, the University of Michigan.
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Opinion Auchter's Artjohn auchterGordie Howe Bridgecanada
John Auchter
Since 1995 John has created Michigan-based editorial cartoons for the Grand Rapids Business Journal, the Grand Rapids Press, and MLive Newspapers. His cartoons are currently featured at MichiganPublic.org and are syndicated to newspapers through the Michigan Press Association. John is an active member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. You can view an archive of his editorial work and other cartoons at Auchtoon.com.
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