Trump Floats Bold Defense Deal With Canada If Nation Joins U.S. As ‘51st State’

Donald Trump is once again angling for Canada to become the 51st state after unveiling a new offer on social media.

The U.S. president says Canada can be involved in his new Golden Dome missile defense system for free if they agree to his terms.

But if Canada rejects the offer, it will need to fork out $61 billion to be included in the proposed missile defense system, according to Trump.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has consistently made it clear that the country is not interested in joining the U.S.

But Trump claimed Canada was considering the offer.

“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 posted on Truth Social.

“They are considering the offer!”

This month, Trump unveiled his plans for the ambitious new missile defense system after announcing his intention to amp up plans to deter and counter aerial threats to the U.S. after taking office.

He said the dome, estimated to cost $175 billion, would “forever end the missile threat to the American homeland.”

It would be “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space” and would incorporate “next-generation” technologies, Trump said.

The system would also span land, sea, and space, including advanced space-based sensors and interceptors.

China and North Korea have both released statements condemning Trump’s plan and urging him to abandon it.

The president’s latest offer to Canada comes after Carney welcomed King Charles to officially open Canada’s 45th Parliament as head of state this week.

In the Throne Speech to open the first session of parliament, King Charles spoke of the strained relationship between Canada and the U.S.

“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them,” King Charles said.

“A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away,” the British monarch added.

“And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”

During his speech, King Charles also confirmed that Canada would rejoin ReArm Europe—a strategic defense plan launched by the EU to enhance Europe’s military capabilities and reduce reliance on U.S. support.

“The Government will protect Canada’s sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces,” King Charles said.

“It will boost Canada’s defense industry by joining ReArm Europe, to invest in transatlantic security with Canada’s European partners.

“And it will invest to strengthen its presence in the North, which is an integral part of Canada, as this region faces new threats.”

Following the speech from the throne, Carney said he hoped Canada would be able to join ReArm Europe by July 1.

“Seventy-five cents of every dollar of capital spending for defense goes to the United States. That’s not smart,” Carney told CBC’s Power & Politics.

Carney won the Canadian election in April after calling a snap election, seeking a strong mandate to address escalating tensions with Trump. These tensions include a trade war initiated by the U.S.

In his victory speech, he warned Trump he would never break Canada, and told supporters that Canada’s old relationship with the U.S. was over.

“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” Carney said.

“These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us, so America can own us.”

“That will never—that will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”

Trump started a trade war with Canada earlier this year by imposing steep tariffs on key exports like aluminum and lumber.

The move sparked retaliatory action from Canada, which imposed a 25% tariff on approximately $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, including various consumer and industrial products.