The Ambassador Bridge soars over the river dividing Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, a symbol of the economic and cultural ties binding the sister cities across the international border.
The crossing is one of the busiest in North America, with about $400mn in freight moving across the bridge daily. Nearby, more than 3.9mn vehicles moved through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel last year — some people commuting to work, others headed to concerts, sporting events or a favourite restaurant.
But US President Donald Trump’s trade policy has put these historic ties under pressure. Tariffs, and the associated uncertainty, have undermined the region’s prosperity and frayed ties that government, business and labour leaders describe using words such as “family” and “best friends”.