What we know about The Golden Dome system Trump offered to Canada
Over the past couple of days, you may have seen headlines about U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada, and the Golden Dome System.
While it may seem like the two countries are planning to duplicate the Las Vegas sphere, it’s unfortunately not as fun as it sounds.
Last week, Trump announced the Golden Dome missile defence shield as a new initiative to “protect the homeland from advanced missile threats.”
President Trump announced the Golden Dome missile defense shield to protect the homeland from advanced missile threats.
Included in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, this project aims to ensure American security. Congress must pass the bill and send it to the President’s desk. pic.twitter.com/U0gwZ9DNnV
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 21, 2025
According to a video released by the White House on May 20, its One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act will include US$25 billion to build the Golden Dome.
Plans for the missile defence system were first revealed in an executive order by Trump in January. At the time, it was called the “Iron Dome for America” after Israel’s short-range missile defence system and described as both a dome and a shield.
Other countries that have missile defence systems include Germany, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and Iran.
While many missile defence systems use ground-based interceptors, Trump’s Golden Dome would notably need to put weapons in space for space-based interceptors. The defence plan is a successor to the Reagan administration’s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) in the 1980s, also known as “Star Wars.”
Critics of the Golden Dome say it’s expensive and impractical and could trigger a dangerous new arms race.
What does Canada have to do with the Golden Dome?
According to the U.S. president, the defence system would be able to protect North America from missiles launched from across the globe, or from space, so it “automatically makes sense” to involve Canada.
On Tuesday, he doubled down on this, saying on Truth Social that Canada “very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System.”
However, there’s apparently a catch for their northern neighbour.
“It will cost $61 billion 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!” Trump claimed.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
It’s unclear how the White House came to the US$61-billion figure.
In an email statement to Daily Hive, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) did not confirm whether it received this 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,” stated a spokesperson.
The PMO did say Canada is having “wide-ranging and constructive discussions” with its American counterparts, which include strengthening NORAD and related initiatives like the Golden Dome.
“Canadians gave the Prime Minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” added the PMO.
Trump’s post came after King Charles III’s speech from the throne in Ottawa, where he highlighted Canada’s sovereignty.