President Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to Canada on Tuesday, saying it can either pay $61 billion to be covered by the proposed U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense system—or become the 51st state and get access to it free of charge.
The Context
Trump has repeatedly pushed Canada to join the U.S. and mocked then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him “Governor Trudeau.”
Canada has rebuffed Trump at every juncture, and the country’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, won this year’s federal election after running an anti-Trump campaign that emphasized the importance of Canadian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What To Know
Trump announced his latest offer to Canada on Truth Social, writing, “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.”
“They are considering the offer!” he added.
Trump announced his administration’s preferred concept for the Golden Dome missile defense program—a sprawling $175 billion initiative that would mark the first time the United States deploys weapons in space—last week.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he expects the system to be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which ends in 2029. He also claimed the defense system would be able to intercept missiles “even if they are launched from space.”
The Congressional Budget Office projected earlier this month that some elements of the Golden Dome project could cost up to $542 billion over the next 20 years. Trump has asked Congress for an initial $25 billion to fund the program.
The president’s latest offer to Canada, meanwhile, comes after King Charles reaffirmed Canada’s sovereignty and declared it “strong and free” in a historic address to Canada’s parliament.
While delivering the Speech from the Throne—a duty that was last performed by a reigning monarch in Canada nearly 50 years ago—King Charles emphasized Canada’s resilience while drawing on the country’s national anthem to underscore his message.
The king’s address comes weeks after Carney had a somewhat tense first meeting with Trump at the Oval Office, where he reminded the American president that “Canada is not for sale.”
Trump replied while smirking: “Time will tell.”
Shortly before Carney arrived at the White House, Trump said on social media that the United States didn’t need “ANYTHING” from its northern neighbor, a theme he later revisited in the Oval Office.
What People Are Saying
Speaking in French, King Charles said in his parliamentary address: “We must face reality. Since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented.”
He added that “many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them.”
What Happens Next
Trump is slated to head to Canada for the G7 summit next month, where he’ll likely get a frosty reception from members of the public over his threats to annex Canada.
Update 5/27/25 7:32 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and context.
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