In a shocking development that has left the global diplomatic community in disbelief, former President of the United States Donald J. Trump has issued a shocking ultimatum to Canada: “Either pay $61 billion for the ‘Golden Dome’ or become the 51st state of the United States.”
During a speech at a rally to his supporters on Tuesday evening at Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump – who is also currently the GOP favorite in the 2024 election – laid out what he called a “simple deal” to settle what he may regard as a financial dispute that has ‘existed for a long time’ regarding military infrastructure and joint military projects between the U.S. and Canada.
“The Golden Dome is not only beautiful, but it is powerful. It is American. And Canada will no longer get this for free – free! That is over. Sixty-one billion dollars or you will reel in the United States as the 51st state,” Trump thundered to a roaring crowd of supporters.
Even though Trump did not elaborate much on “Golden Dome,” political commentators and defense sources think he was talking of the sophisticated North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) system, especially the top-secret missile defense system claimed to be under the mutual command of the United States and Canada. Some also speculate that he could be mixing elements of Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system with a clandestine NORAD program.
Inside the Beltway, Trump’s remarks have resulted in a flurry of calls and meetings between diplomatic and defense officials trying to determine if this was an offhand comment or an indication of serious policy in a second Trump presidency.
This is not the first time Trump has indicated America’s allies should pay more for their defense. In 2018, he publicly questioned NATO commitments and suggested pulling US troops from Germany unless Berlin increased its defense spending.
Now, Trump appears to be activating elements of his foreign policy, but with far bigger stakes involved.
With Trump doubling down on his words, following up with Fox News again by saying, “They owe us. They have always owed us. They just don’t like hearing it out loud,” questions are swirling about what it might mean for U.S.-Canada relations if he happens to return to the Oval Office.
The Canadian Parliament is expected to hold a closed session later in the week to discuss the implications of this. In the meantime, the Biden administration has distanced itself from Trump’s comments, reaffirming it has a “mutual respect and partnership” with Canada.
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