The president says Ottawa can avoid a $61 billion fee to join the “Golden Dome” system — but only by becoming part of the United States.

US President Donald Trump announced that Canada could participate in the United States’ ambitious “Golden Dome” missile defense system for a cost of $61 billion — unless Ottawa agrees to become the 51st state, in which case entry would be free.
The declaration, made on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, reignited tensions between the U.S. and Canada, as Trump once again expressed his desire for Canada to formally join the Union.
The Golden Dome, unveiled by Trump, is a massive defense initiative designed to shield the U.S. from a wide array of threats using an expansive missile shield. The project carries an estimated price tag of $175 billion and is slated for completion by the end of Trump’s term in 2029. However, experts warn of steep technical and political challenges, and some believe the final cost could far exceed current projections.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously signaled Ottawa’s interest in participating in the project to bolster national defense, but he has firmly rejected any suggestion of surrendering Canadian sovereignty. During a recent visit to the White House, Carney dismissed Trump’s statehood proposal, stating that “Canada is never for sale.”
Bilateral relations between the two leaders have long been strained. Trump’s earlier imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods complicated diplomatic ties, though the two managed to ease some of these tensions in their latest meeting. Still, Trump’s recent comments about missile defense have reignited friction between Washington and Ottawa.
Carney has also voiced concern about Canada’s heavy security and economic dependence on the United States. In response, Ottawa has been exploring partnerships with European allies to diversify its defense industrial base. In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Carney argued that it would be “unwise” to concentrate defense investments solely in the U.S., noting that Canada currently sends 75% of its defense spending south of the border.
Trump’s remarks also come at a sensitive moment for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Carney recently contradicted Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard over the timeline for treaty renegotiations, insisting that reviews are scheduled for 2026 and that Ottawa intends to take the necessary time to ensure any revisions are fair to Canada.
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