U.S. President Donald Trump made an offer to Canada Tuesday night, stating that Canada can either pay for the Trump administration’s new “Golden Dome” missile defense system or become the 51st state of the United States.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“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. They are considering the offer!”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in annexing Canada, citing what he calls unfair trade imbalances and claiming that Canada struggles to function independently due to its reliance on the United States.
His latest comments came after King Charles III of the U.K.—nominally Canada’s head of state due to its Commonwealth status—opened Canada’s Parliament with a speech stating:
“Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.”
Earlier that day, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned in an interview about the dangers of “overreliance” on the U.S.
The Golden Dome system, unveiled by Trump last week, is a proposed missile defense shield modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome. Trump claimed it would be fully operational by the end of his term in 2029 and estimated the total cost at $175 billion.
Canada announced last week that it was in talks with the U.S. about potentially joining the Golden Dome project.
While the Trump administration insists the system will protect the entirety of the U.S. from missile threats, some defense analysts have questioned the feasibility and necessity of such a project, given that the United States is bordered by friendly nations and separated from its adversaries by vast oceans.