Marketplace Morning Report

Episode: "A bridge at the center of trade tensions"

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Guy Kilty (from the BBC World Service, for Marketplace)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, currently centered on the newly constructed Gordie Howe International Bridge, which links Ontario (Canada) with Michigan (USA). The show covers President Trump’s threats to block the bridge's opening unless Canada compensates the U.S., criticism of Canadian trade practices, and the broader impact of trade policies on North American farmers. The episode also includes quick updates on global market movements and a new trade agreement between Bangladesh and the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Gordie Howe International Bridge Dispute

• President Trump's Threats: President Trump posted on social media, threatening to block the opening of the newly constructed Gordie Howe International Bridge unless Canada compensates the U.S for "everything Washington had given to Canada."
• Ownership Demands: Trump suggested that the U.S. should own half of the bridge, which is entirely funded by the Canadian government.
• Trade Criticism: The President aired grievances about a range of Canadian trade practices and criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent trip to Beijing, cautioning against a potential trade deal with China.
  • Summary: "Mr. Trump said he wouldn't allow [the bridge] to open until, in his words, the U.S. had been fully compensated..." – Gabrielle Sungaleta, [01:09]

Notable Moment: Mayor's Reaction

• Drew Dilkins, Mayor of Windsor (Ontario):
  • Expresses disbelief and notes the project's long history of binational cooperation.
  • Points out the contradiction in Trump's position—criticizing Ontario's removal of U.S. alcohol from shelves while threatening to stop a project designed to boost cross-border trade.
  • Injects some incredulity over Trump's rhetoric, referencing parts of Trump's post about China "taking over hockey."
  • Quote:

    "I really can't believe what I'm reading, but it's par for the course...There have been presidential permits issued. And let's not forget, Canada paid for the construction of the bridge. The U.S. didn't want to pay. Canada said, 'We think it's important...we're going to fund it to help facilitate international trade.'" – Drew Dilkins, [01:43]
    "The post talked about China taking over hockey and banning hockey and stealing the Stanley Cup or something like that. Like it's, it's just insane." – Drew Dilkins, [02:28]

2. Global Markets & Trade Updates

• BP Share Price: Down 5% after reporting a drop in profits, attributed to a 20% fall in the price of crude oil in the previous year.
• Japanese Stocks: Nikkei 225 closed up 2%, buoyed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election victory.
• Bangladesh–U.S. Trade Agreement: New deal eliminates tariffs on Bangladeshi clothes/textiles made with U.S. materials; U.S. also reduces tariffs on Bangladesh from 20% to 19%.
  • Context: Bangladesh is the world's second-largest clothing exporter, after China.

3. Tariffs, Trade Tensions, and U.S. Farmers

• Broader Trump Trade Policy: Tariffs have become a hallmark of President Trump's approach, causing significant changes for U.S. farmers (higher input costs, volatile export markets).
• Recent Aid: Trump administration initiated $12 billion in financial aid to help farmers weather export losses and inflation.
  • Quote: "This relief will provide much needed certainty to farmers..." – BBC reporter, [03:39]

Farmers' Voices

• Ann Schwagel (Minnesota Grain Farmer & Vice President, Minnesota Farmers Union):

  • Tariff Effects: Increase in market volatility and production costs. Many are growing grains below the cost of production due to retaliatory tariffs and high input prices.
  • Soybean Markets: Negative impact from loss of Chinese buyers; even as exports resume, it’s nowhere near former levels.
  • Quotes:

    "We have seen our markets really be increasingly volatile and our inputs are incredibly high right now. And many grain producers in the upper Plains, including myself, we're growing grains below the cost of production." – Ann Schwagel, [03:58]
    "For every three rows of soybeans, two of them get exported and one of those goes directly to China. And when that market goes away, Minnesota producers are really hurt." – Ann Schwagel, [04:35]

• Sid Miller (Texas Agriculture Commissioner, 8th Generation Farmer):

  • Optimistic for soybean prices and notes decreasing cost of diesel fuel in Texas.
  • Quotes:

    "We're seeing a little boost in soybean prices. Not as much as we'd like, but we're headed in the right direction." – Sid Miller, [04:57]
    "Diesel is an all time low. At least it is here in Texas... $2.75 a gallon." – Sid Miller, [05:08]

• Additional Farmer Concerns:

  • Input Costs: Ann Schwagel highlights nearly doubled potash (fertilizer) prices due to Canadian tariffs.
    • "We're seeing the price of potash nearly double year over year and that's as a result of tariffs on that import which is primarily coming from Canada." – Ann Schwagel, [05:18]
  • Dairy Sector Squeeze: Jeff Winton (NY dairy farmer) discusses falling milk prices and farmers needing second jobs just to pay bills.
    • "A year or so ago we were getting $25 [per] 100 weight. It's now down to $15. So we are really struggling." – Jeff Winton, [05:39]
  • Labor Shortages: Administrative clampdown on immigration is making it hard to find farm workers.
    • Sid Miller: "We're gonna need less and less of migrant workers is because of technology. We have just about every kind of automated harvesting equipment now." – Sid Miller, [06:11]
    • Ann Schwagel's Rebuttal: Technology is unaffordable for most farmers under current financial duress.

      "How do you afford that when you're underwater on your cost of production? ... I don't want a bailout. I want a market." – Ann Schwagel, [06:19]–[06:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Drew Dilkins on Trump’s Demands:

  "I really can't believe what I'm reading, but it's par for the course... And let's not forget Canada paid for the construction of the bridge." – [01:43]

• Ann Schwagel on Market Loss to China:

  "For every three rows of soybeans, two of them get exported and one of those goes directly to China. And when that market goes away, Minnesota producers are really hurt." – [04:35]

• Jeff Winton on Dairy Industry Struggle:

  "A year or so ago we were getting $25 [per] 100 weight. It's now down to $15. ... Farmers I know ... are now getting second jobs off the farm to pay their bills, something they never had to do." – [05:39]

• Ann Schwagel on Farmers’ Priorities:

  "I don't want a bailout. I want a market." – [06:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• President Trump’s Bridge Threat & Background: [00:31]–[02:37]
• Global Market Updates (BP, Japan, Bangladesh-U.S.): [02:37]–[03:39]
• Farmer Roundtable: Tariffs and Aid: [03:39]–[06:45]

Tone & Final Thoughts

The conversation is brisk, pragmatic, and occasionally incredulous, especially where politics and trade cross with local impacts. The tone is factual with moments of frustration, particularly from those directly affected—farmers and local officials—expressing their tension, practical concerns, and skepticism about political decision-making.