"Vaccine Mandate Opposition" Canadian Truckers' Protest Blocks Bridge... Toyota and GM Plants Halted

Car Assembly Plants Halt Operations One After Another
Canadian Prime Minister "Cannot Accept Protests"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Canadian truck protesters opposing the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination have blocked a major trade route with the United States, causing North American automobile factories to halt operations or reduce production.

On the 10th (local time), major local media including the Financial Times (FT) reported that the protesters have occupied the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and Detroit, USA, for the fourth consecutive day, paralyzing trade between the two countries. Particularly, automobile manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Midwest and Canada have been affected. More than $300 million worth of goods cross the Ambassador Bridge daily, accounting for about one-quarter of total trade between the U.S. and Canada.

General Motors (GM) announced that its Lansing plant in Michigan, which produces Chevrolet and Buick sport utility vehicles (SUVs), canceled evening and morning shifts due to parts shortages. Toyota has halted production at three Canadian plants as well as its Kentucky plant. Toyota's Kentucky plant, the world's largest, produces models such as the RAV4 crossover and Camry sedan. Trucks are using the Blue Water Bridge, which is two hours away, to travel between the two countries, but local authorities stated that traffic congestion is causing crossing times of up to five hours.

Ford, which had temporarily closed its Oakville assembly plant in Ontario, warned that if the situation is not resolved quickly, supply chain bottlenecks between the two countries could impact all automobile manufacturers. Ford stated, "The trade disruption is harming customers, auto workers, suppliers, and related businesses in both countries who are already facing parts shortages due to the global semiconductor shortage and COVID-19 over the past two years."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Multinational automaker Stellantis said in a statement, "The current situation, intertwined with already fragile supply chain issues, is making it even harder for the industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki expressed concern at a briefing the previous day, saying, "Since the bridge is a key route for automobile parts, the blockade poses a risk to the automotive supply chain," and added, "It could also potentially impact U.S. agricultural exports from Michigan to Canada."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the protest as "unacceptable" and warned of its impact on manufacturers. He emphasized, "We must do everything to end this situation."

The Detroit International Bridge Company, which manages the bridge, is urging the Canadian government to either lift the vaccine mandate or remove the vehicles blocking access to end the protest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.