Donald Trump’s got a new pitch for Canada, and it’s a big one. He says if they join the US and become the 51st state, they’ll get access to America’s shiny new missile defense system and avoid a $61 billion price tag.
That’s his latest move after slapping tariffs on other countries. Canada hit back with their own tariffs and made it clear they weren’t interested.
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Trudeau said it was “never going to happen,” and even after the new PM Mark Carney stepped in, the answer stayed the same: “Canada’s not for sale.”
But Trump’s not the type to let a no stay a no.
Trump posted his bold new pitch on Truth Social
Even after getting turned down, Trump came back with a fresh offer. Not too surprising for him… backing off isn’t really his style.
On May 27, he dropped this bombshell on Truth Social.
“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, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State.”
He also claimed that Canada’s actually considering it.
He’s calling the defense system the ‘Golden Dome’
Trump’s big idea is a defense system called the Golden Dome. He first talked about it on May 20, saying it’s a $176 billion plan.
It’s supposed to protect the US from missiles, even ones launched from space.
Why Trump thinks this system is urgent
So why now? According to Trump, China and Russia already have weapons floating around in space. Some of them could take out US satellites, which makes things a little scary.
The Pentagon said the US needs better defenses, and this pricey program is Trump’s answer.
The dome would try to stop missiles early
The Golden Dome is supposed to stop missiles in four different stages.
• Before launch.
• Right after launch.
• In the middle of their flight.
• And again right before they hit the target.
Pretty ambitious stuff.
A top US general explains why it’s new territory
General Chance Saltzman, who runs the US Space Force, said this kind of mission is something they’ve never pulled off before.
He called it a whole new set of challenges for military space teams.
Canada is invited in, others are shut out
Canada’s got an open invite to join the program. But not everyone’s on the guest list.
North Korea and China definitely aren’t, and they both had something to say about it.
North Korea isn’t holding back
North Korea’s foreign ministry told KCNA that the program is “very dangerous.” They said it threatens the safety of nuclear countries like themselves.
They also claimed the US is “hell-bent” on turning space into a war zone.
In their words, the Golden Dome is sparking an arms race and turning space into a “potential nuclear war field.”
China’s warning sounds pretty similar
China wasn’t thrilled either. Their foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called out the US for chasing “absolute security” at the cost of everyone else’s.
She said this could mess with global balance and warned the US to stop developing the ‘Golden Dome’. China’s seriously concerned.
And now everyone’s waiting to see Canada’s decision.
Will they stick with their no? Or take the deal?
Guess we’ll find out.