U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Canada will have to pay US$61 billion to be part of his “Golden Dome” space-based missile defence plan — but would pay nothing if it becomes part of the U.S., a message he claimed to have “told Canada” himself.
The social media post came hours after King Charles III delivered the speech from the throne in Canada’s Parliament, which particularly focused on asserting Canada’s sovereignty and included plans for bolstering national defence.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They are considering the offer!”
The Prime Minister’s Office did not say it had received such an “offer” from Trump.
“The Prime Minister has been clear at every opportunity, including in his conversations with President Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one,” a statement to Global News said.
Global News asked the White House how Trump came to the US$61 billion amount, but did not immediately hear back.
Trump unveiled his plans for the estimated US$175-billion “Golden Dome” system last week and quickly said Canada wants to be involved, but would have to “pay their fair share.”
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Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed his government was talking to the Trump administration about the Golden Dome, but stressed it was among several “options” Canada was looking at in securing defence partnerships with its allies.
Carney did not say how much his government would be willing to spend as part of a “Golden Dome” partnership.
The Liberals committed to add more than $30 billion in new defence spending over the next four years in its campaign platform. Carney announced a $6-billion Arctic radar system investment prior to the election, which experts say would help contribute to continental missile defence.
Tuesday’s throne speech confirmed the Liberal government’s plan to join the European Union’s ReArm Europe defence plan that aims to rapidly increase military arms production in a bid to move away from U.S. reliance.
It made no mention of the “Golden Dome” plan, but noted that Carney and Trump ” have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S., rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.”
“As the anthem reminds us, the True North is indeed strong and free,” King Charles III said near the end of the speech, which received a thunderous and sustained round of applause in the chamber.
Carney has said the decision to invite the King to deliver the throne speech — the first time Canada’s sovereign has done so in nearly 50 years — reflected the “crisis” Canada finds itself in due to Trump’s attacks on its sovereignty and economy.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters after the speech that Canada has been at the centre of a “centuries-old debate” between the Crown and the United States, and that Tuesday’s ceremony with the King’s participation reinforced “the British traditions of our parliamentary democracy.”
“I think it’s important that the world recognizes that we have those ancient traditions, and that the Americans recognize that we are an independent and free country that will make its own decisions,” he said.
Carney has repeatedly said Canada will “never” become part of the U.S., including in his sit-down with Trump at the White House earlier this month. He said he reaffirmed Canada’s independence to Trump in their private meetings as well.
Trump had somewhat toned down his “51st state” rhetoric since Carney became prime minister in March, though he insisted in the Oval Office with Carney that the offer would always stand.
“Never say never,” Trump said, to which Carney mouthed the words “never” to reporters in the room.
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