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Demonstrators in Windsor, Canada, block entry and exit to the Ambassador Bridge
Photo: GEOFF ROBINS / AFP
The Ambassador Bridge connects the American city of Detroit in Michigan with the Canadian city of Windsor in Ontario.
The bridge is considered the most important land connection between the two countries, with around 8,000 trucks crossing this border every day.
At least on normal days.
On Monday, Canadian truckers brought traffic to a standstill on the Ambassador Bridge in protest at the government's corona rules in Ottawa.
Initially, vehicles in both directions stood still.
On Tuesday evening, at least the lane in the direction of the USA was released again.
Another border crossing in Coutts, Alberta was closed in both directions.
Truck drivers in Ottawa have been protesting massively against the corona measures in the country since the end of January.
The truckers are part of a so-called Freedom Convoy, which originally opposed the requirement that truck drivers be vaccinated against the corona virus in order to cross the US border.
It has since evolved into a demonstration against pandemic measures in general and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
"It is clear that these disruptions are no longer just about implementing vaccine requirements," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Because of the blockade on the Ambassador Bridge, we are “of course in contact with our Canadian colleagues”.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says he is in contact with the mayor of Windsor about the bridge blockade.
"We will continue to work to ensure deliveries can continue across the Ambassador Bridge," he said.
Canada sends 75% of its exports to the US.
There are also calls from business for an immediate end to the blockade.
The president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association said a prolonged lockdown would "endanger automobile production, which employs tens of thousands of Canadians."
Prime Minister Trudeau commented on the truck drivers' protests for the first time on Monday.
"This has to stop," he said in an urgent debate in the House of Commons.
He pledged the support of the Canadian federal government "with whatever means the province and city need" to deal with the protesters.
aar/dpa/Reuters