Trump Links ⁤Canada’s Missile Defense to Statehood

Updated May 28, 2025
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President Donald ⁤Trump has proposed that Canada ⁤could join the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense system,but with a significant condition: canada would need to become the 51st state. trump announced the offer on Truth Social, stating that if Canada remains a separate nation, participation in the missile defense program would cost $61 billion.

The “Golden Dome,” a project Trump aims to have operational by the end of his ⁢term, ⁢is projected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars. The missile defense system, ⁢modeled after Israel’s “Iron Dome,” would involve a ‍network of interceptors, satellites, and sensors.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney⁢ had previously discussed potential Canadian involvement in the Golden Dome project with the U.S. Though, he declined to specify how⁢ much Canada would invest. During a meeting earlier in May, Carney firmly told ⁣trump that Canada was “not for sale,”‍ a sentiment that Trump⁣ met with skepticism.

Canada and the U.S. already collaborate on defense through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Canada has committed approximately $28 billion over ‍the next 20 years to modernize NORAD.

“I told Canada,‍ which very much wants to be ⁢part of our fabulous ⁢Golden Dome System, that‍ it ⁣will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO⁢ DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State,” Trump ⁤said ‍on Truth Social.

What’s ⁤next

It remains to be seen how Canada will respond to Trump’s offer.The proposal to become the 51st state⁢ is likely to face strong ⁢opposition in Canada, where national identity and sovereignty are highly valued.