Trump Says Canada Must Pay $61 Billion or Join U.S. for Free Access to Missile Defense System: What It All Means

Trump Says Canada Must Pay $61 Billion or Join U.S. for Free Access to Missile Defense System: What It All Means

In a surprising and controversial statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Canada would need to pay $61 billion to join his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system unless it agrees to become the 51st state of the United States. Trump made the statement on his social media platform, TruthSocial, where he said Canada “very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System.” He added that if Canada chooses to become a U.S. state, they can access the system at no cost, but if they choose to remain “a separate, but unequal, Nation,” then they must pay the massive fee.

This bold announcement came on the same day that Canada’s parliament hosted King Charles III, who gave a speech emphasizing Canada’s independence and sovereignty. The King stressed that Canada must stand strong during “dangerous and uncertain” global times. Meanwhile, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney did not directly respond to Trump’s latest comment, but he did mention in a CBC interview that Canada is considering joining ReArm Europe an initiative aimed at reducing Canada’s dependence on U.S. weapons. Carney also confirmed that Canada has had “high-level” discussions with the U.S. about the defense system, although no final decision has been made.

Trump’s proposed Golden Dome system is modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, a missile defense system that the U.S. helps fund, contributing about $500 million a year to support it. However, there are big differences between the two. Israel is about the size of New Jersey, while the United States is nearly 100 times larger. Experts have pointed out that scaling up the Iron Dome to cover the entire U.S. or even including Canada would be extremely expensive and technically challenging. While Iron Dome is designed to target short-range missiles, the threats facing the U.S. and Canada today include long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles, which require much more advanced technology to intercept.

Trump claims that the Golden Dome project would cost around $175 billion in total and would be finished by the end of his term in 2029 if he is re-elected. He is trying to secure the first $25 billion through a massive spending bill known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” This bill recently passed in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and is now awaiting a vote in the Senate. The bill includes increased funding for the military and border security, but it also proposes significant cuts to social programs such as Medicaid and food assistance, which millions of low-income Americans rely on.

Many defense analysts and international leaders are raising concerns about Trump’s plan, especially its space-related components. The Golden Dome system would include placing weapons in space a move that critics say could start a dangerous global arms race. China’s Foreign Ministry spoke out strongly against the idea, saying it would turn outer space into a battlefield and threaten global security. A spokesperson from China stated that the plan shows the U.S. is only interested in its own safety, even if it risks the safety of other countries.

North Korea also responded, accusing the U.S. of trying to militarize space. Russian officials were particularly critical. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, warned that the Golden Dome system would damage “strategic stability” and could lead to more aggressive military strategies, including pre-emptive strikes. She also said it would turn space into a war zone, which would be dangerous for all countries.

These international reactions show that Trump’s Golden Dome idea is not just a domestic issue it’s something that could affect global security. Many countries fear that if the U.S. begins putting weapons in space, others will feel forced to do the same, leading to a dangerous and costly arms race in orbit.

For Canada, the issue now is whether it should participate in the Golden Dome project by paying the huge $61 billion cost, or take Trump’s offer to become part of the United States for free access—an idea most Canadians are unlikely to support. Prime Minister Carney appears to be leaning toward working with European allies instead of depending too heavily on the U.S., especially given the uncertainty and controversy surrounding Trump’s plan.

In summary, Trump’s Golden Dome proposal is a complex mix of advanced military ambitions, enormous costs, and serious global consequences. His demand that Canada pay or join the U.S. has sparked new debates about sovereignty, defense cooperation, and the future of international relations. Whether this system ever becomes a reality remains to be seen, but the conversation around it has already created a wave of political, economic, and diplomatic questions that both Canadians and Americans will have to face in the years ahead.