The President of the United States, Donald Trump, sparked controversy again on Tuesday by suggesting that Canada could join as the 51st state of the country in exchange for free access to the ambitious "Golden Dome" missile defense system.
According to a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that Canada's participation in the project would cost $61 billion if it maintains its status as an independent nation, but would be free if it agrees to become part of the United States, according to Fox News.
"I told Canada, which longs to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost them $61 billion if they continue to be a separated but unequal nation, but that it will cost them ZERO if they become our beloved State number 51. They are considering the offer!" wrote Trump.
The statement provoked an immediate reaction from Ottawa. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, reaffirmed that “Canada is not for sale, and it never will be” and emphasized that his government does not consider any cession of sovereignty. In response, Trump indicated that the option for integration “was not off the table.”
Carney, who won the federal elections last month with a strong stance against Trump's policies, has emphasized strengthening Canada's independence. During a recent appearance, he stated that there are "active discussions" with the United States regarding defense cooperation, including the Golden Dome, but always from a position of sovereignty.
The Golden Dome project, introduced last week by Trump, aims to create a space-based defense network to intercept intercontinental missiles and other threats.
With an estimated cost of $175 billion, the viability of the system has been questioned by experts, who point out the lack of mature technology to implement its key components. According to the Financial Times, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that the project could reach up to $542 billion in the long term.
In parallel, King Charles III addressed the Canadian Parliament and supported Canada’s sovereignty amid U.S. pressure. “Canada can forge new alliances that benefit all its citizens without depending on any foreign power,” he stated, according to Euro News.
Although Trump claims that Canada has shown interest in participating in the defensive shield, the political and diplomatic context suggests that any integration into the system would be limited to bilateral agreements within the framework of Norad, without implying a loss of autonomy for the North American country.
Filed under: