Trump offers Canada free entry into $175 billion 'Golden Dome' defence plan—But only as 51st state
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Canada could join the United States' new missile defence system free of cost—if it agrees to become the 51st state.
Otherwise, he said, it would cost them $61 billion.
"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," Trump posted on Truth Social.
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"But (it) will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!"
— TrumpDailyPosts (@TrumpDailyPosts)
There has been no official reply from the Canadian government.
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Canada confirms talks, rejects statehood
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that discussions are underway between Ottawa and Washington on the Golden Dome programme.
'Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is good to have protections in place for Canadians,' Carney said at a press briefing last week.
However, during a visit to the White House earlier this month, he dismissed any idea of statehood. Carney said plainly that Canada was "never for sale".
Despite these firm words, defence cooperation continues. Canada and the US remain core partners in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint air security programme that dates back to the 1950s.
Relations between the two countries have gone through rough patches in recent years. Trump's trade war with Ottawa saw tariffs imposed and diplomatic friction rise. On multiple occasions, he has openly suggested that Canada should become part of the US.
Canada, meanwhile, has been increasing its defence commitments. In 2022, it announced a C$38.6 billion (US$28 billion) investment in modernising NORAD, reinforcing its role in continental defence without compromising sovereignty.
Now, the Golden Dome system adds another layer of complexity to that defence relationship.
What is the Golden Dome?
Announced last week, the Golden Dome is a proposed $175 billion missile shield. It aims to protect the US from modern threats—ranging from ballistic and cruise missiles to hypersonic weapons. Trump said it would be fully operational by 2029, in time for the end of his second term.
'This system will protect us—even if [the missiles] are launched from space,' Trump declared from the Oval Office.
What makes this system stand out is its ambition. It's designed to intercept attacks at every stage—before launch, early flight, mid-course, and just before impact. That includes, for the first time, the deployment of US weapons in space.
But technical doubts remain. Experts have warned that the system's reliance on unproven space-based interceptors poses serious challenges. They also say the cost could significantly exceed Trump's $175 billion estimate.
With no official statement from Canada, speculation is growing about whether the country will continue with negotiations or walk away.
Talks continue quietly, but Trump's comments have once again put Canada's sovereignty in the spotlight.
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