Trump proposes Canada become 51st State for free Golden Dome
3 Min Read
Donald Trump claims Canada may contribute $61B to his Golden Dome missile defense plan, or pay nothing by becoming the 51st US state.
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US President Donald Trump speaks during the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, on May 26, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
US President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that Canadian officials are considering his proposal for Canada to contribute $61 billion to be part of the Golden Dome missile defense shield, suggesting that the alternative would be joining the US as its 51st state and paying nothing.
The remarks came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled plans to strengthen Canada’s defense ties with the European Union, signaling a pivot away from US-centered military frameworks.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he was informed that Canada "very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System," a project he previously claimed would cost $175 billion and take three years to complete.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing Canada, going so far as to suggest its sovereignty is negotiable if Ottawa refuses to align with US defense objectives. His administration previously engaged Canada in a tariff dispute and floated controversial positions on bilateral relations.
Mark Carney rejects annexation, eyes EU defense ties
Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the annexation rhetoric earlier this month during a White House meeting with Trump, stating that Canada had no interest in becoming the 51st US state.
In a Tuesday interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Carney reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to charting an independent defense path, including joining a European rearmament initiative by July 1.
“Seventy-five cents of every dollar of capital spending for defense goes to the United States,” he said. “That’s not smart.”
Adding to the diplomatic friction, King Charles III, on a state visit to Canada, delivered remarks in Parliament that included subtle critiques of the US and the Trump administration. Referring to Canada's sovereignty, he said a "confident Canada" can "give themselves far more than any foreign power can ever take away."
Carney later posted the king’s speech on X, affirming Canadian autonomy with the caption, "The True North is strong and free."
While Carney publicly rejected any annexation notion, he also acknowledged that officials were “looking into” potential investments in Trump’s missile defense project. However, no official commitment has been made.
The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s latest statements.
Trump’s revived focus on US-Canada relations through the lens of military cooperation, or coercion, has further strained an already fragile alliance. While Ottawa appears increasingly aligned with Europe on defense matters, Trump’s overtures hint at a transactional view of bilateral security, one that continues to challenge traditional diplomatic norms.
