US President Donald Trump has called on Canada to pay $61 billion to participate in the new Golden Dome missile defence system – or else join the United States as the 51st state.
He wrote about this on his social network Truth Social.
“I told Canada, which is very eager to join our incredible Golden Dome system, that it will cost them $61 billion if they remain a separate but unequal state. If it becomes our valuable 51st state, it will pay zero dollars,” Trump said, adding that “they are considering the offer.”
This refers to Trump’s ambitious initiative to deploy a $175 billion national air defence system, which he claims is capable of intercepting even missiles from space.
Last week, Trump already announced the launch of this programme before the end of his term. So far, Canada has not officially confirmed its interest in the project, but the US president’s words have sparked a lively discussion in the Western press.
