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Trump’s $61 Billion Defense Deal Sparks Sovereignty Debate Between U.S. And Canada

Published on May 28, 2025

Trump has made his ‘offer’ details public. According to reports, Canada is “considering” becoming the 51st state while still receiving assistance from the Golden Dome.

Trump quickly offered Canada the opportunity to become the 51st state in the union in order to avoid the tariffs he had imposed on nations all around the world.

Canada has maintained its opposition to joining the US in spite of the tariffs; former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that it was never “going to happen” and even imposed tariffs of its own in retaliation against Trump.

In a similar vein, Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated that Canada is ‘never [going to be] for sale’ as he assumed power following his victory in the general election on April 28.

However, does the President of the United States ever accept “no” as an answer? Trump has since revised his offer, therefore the answer is no.

What is Donald Trump’s offer to Canada if it becomes 51st state?

Trump revealed his most recent proposal to Canada on May 27 on Truth Social.

The message reads: “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.”

What about the President? According to reports, Canada is ‘considering the offer’.

The Canadian government has been contacted by UNILAD for comment.

Hold on tight if you haven’t read about Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome System.”

What is Trump’s Golden Dome and why is it necessary?

Trump unveiled plans on May 20 for the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence program, which will cost $176 billion.

The program’s objective is to assist the United States in intercepting missiles, “even if they are launched from space.”

Why now? Since China and Russia have already launched offensive weapons into space, including satellites capable of taking down vital US satellites, the US is now open to attack.

The costly initiative is Trump’s suggested remedy after the Pentagon cautioned that improving countermeasures is a crucial step.

In essence, the Golden Dome initiative will improve the United States’ capacity to identify and intercept missiles at four distinct points during their launch and trajectory:

Before a launch
During the earliest stage of a missile’s flight
During the middle of a missile’s course
During the final minutes as a missile approaches a target

As stated by US Space Force Commander General Chance Saltzman, the Golden Dome and its armaments’represent new and growing requirements for tasks that have never before been done by military space organisations’.

Despite Canada’s invitation to participate, China and North Korea have declined, as both nations have publicly denounced the initiative.

North Korea’s response to Trump’s Golden Dome plan

In a statement provided to AFP, Pyongyang’s foreign ministry described the program as “very dangerous” and accused it of “threatening the strategic security of the nuclear weapons state.”

The US is “hell-bent on the moves to militarise outer space,” according to the foreign ministry.

It resolved: “The US plan for building a new missile defense system is the root cause of sparking off global nuclear and space arms race by stimulating the security concerns of nuclear weapons states and turning […] outer space into a potential nuclear war field.”

China’s response to the Golden Dome

Shortly after Trump announced the proposal, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning warned that the dome raises the possibility of space becoming militarised, echoing North Korea’s warning.

The spokesperson said, “The United States, in pursuing a ‘US-first’ policy, is obsessed with seeking absolute security for itself. This violates the principle that the security of all countries should not be compromised and undermines global strategic balance and stability. China is seriously concerned about this.”