President Donald Trumpis still angling forCanada, home to one of the world's largest economies and boasting a land mass slightly exceeding that of the United States, to become the 51st state − this time offering the northern neighbor inclusion in an ambitiousair defense system. Trump dangled the proverbial carrot in a May 27 post on his social media platform Truth Social, writing that they could either pay billions to join his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, or get it for free, if they give up their sovereignty. "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 said in thepost. Video:King Charles praises Canada as 'strong and free' before parliament It's not the first time the two nations have discussed either topic, with Canadian Prime MinisterMark Carneyfirmly telling Trump in aMay 6 Oval Office meetingthat his country is "not for sale," but later telling reporters that he is in talks with the American president about joining the prospective defense system. The Republican leader claimed Canada was considering the offer, a claim quickly rebuffed by a spokesperson with the Prime Minister's Office, who told CBC May 27 that officials are discussing security-related issues with the U.S., including the Golden Dome and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), not giving up its nationhood. "The prime minister has been clear at every opportunity, including in his conversations withPresident Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one," the spokesperson toldCBC. Initially termed the 'Iron Dome for America' by the White House, the proposed U.S. system takes inspiration from Israel's well-known multi-layered defense system of the same name. Developed in partnership with the U.S.,Israel's defense systemis made up of a collection of interceptions of short-range rockets, shells and mortars. Collectively, these form a web or "dome" of air defense around the Middle East nation's roughly 8,500 square miles, about the size of New Jersey. Trump issued an executive order a week after taking office ordering the development of the system, and on May 20 announced an initial $25 billion initial investment in the ground- and space-based Golden Dome project. The president said the system "should be fully operational before the end of my term," in 2029. The Golden Dome plan aims to cover the country with three layers of air defenses, according towritten Senate testimonyby Northern Command leader Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot. They are sensors to alert incoming threats, ground-based interceptor missiles to target incoming ballistic missiles, and additional systems to handle lower-altitude threats like hypersonic missiles and enemy drones. The Golden Dome is also intended to use a network ofhundreds of satellitescircling the globe to knock out incoming enemy missiles after they lift off from countries like China, Iran, North Korea or Russia. The proposal has drawn criticism from experts over its feasibility and cost, while military rivals Russia and China have condemned the project.North Koreahas also weighed in to oppose the proposed missile shield. The initial $25 billion funding is included as part of the Trump-endorsed tax cut megabill currently working its way through Congress, the president said. He has already picked a design forthe Golden Dome system, he told reporters during hisMay 20 announcement, and named a leader of the ambitious program. The president has said the program will cost $175 billion, however, independent projections from the Congressional Budget Office said in aMay 5 reportit could end up costing over $800 billion over two decades. Contributing: Davis Winkie, USA TODAY; Reuters. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her atkapalmer@usatoday.comand on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump offers 'Golden Dome' to Canada. But there's a catch.
