Trump Demands $71 Billion from Canada to Join U.S. Golden Dome Missile Defense

President Donald Trump just raised the price for Canada to join the U.S.’s highly anticipated "Golden Dome" missile defense system—and he’s not being subtle about the deal.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “They want to be in. Seventy-one billion they’re going to pay.” That’s $10 billion more than his previous public offer.

Canada has yet to formally respond to the new price tag, but the proposal is already stirring political tension on both sides of the border.

🛡️ What Is the Golden Dome?

Announced earlier this year, the Golden Dome is Trump’s high-tech vision to protect the U.S. (and possibly Canada) from next-generation threats like:

• Hypersonic missiles 🚀

• Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) ☄️

• Space-based attacks 🛰️

It’s essentially an expanded, space-based evolution of Israel’s Iron Dome—but designed to stop threats that travel across oceans or even from orbit. Trump has called it the “final piece” of a national defense puzzle started by Ronald Reagan’s 1980s “Star Wars” program.

While the Trump administration says the system could be operational before the end of his second term, defense officials say it’ll take 5 to 7 years to fully develop.

Why Trump Wants Canada (and Why It’s Complicated)

Trump claims Canada wants in on the Golden Dome—and he's putting a price on their participation.

“Canada will have to pay a lot of money,” Trump said. That means $71 billion for access. But in true Trumpian fashion, he offered a discount—sort of.

That remark sparked immediate backlash in Canada.

Canadian U.N. Ambassador Bob Rae called it a “protection racket.” Prime Minister Mark Carney, who just won the election campaigning against Trump’s political overtures, pushed back firmly, saying:

Despite the political friction, Canada is strategically valuable. With vast Arctic territory, Canada provides critical radar coverage over the North Pole—an area experts warn could become the missile superhighway of the future.

Retired U.S. General Glen VanHerck explained:

💵 A Billion-Dollar Shield

The Golden Dome isn’t just expensive—it’s astronomically expensive. Trump’s team estimates the total project could cost $175 billion. But the Congressional Budget Office recently projected the space-based portion alone could reach $542 billion over 20 years.

🔸 An initial $25 billion has already been earmarked in next year’s defense budget.
🔸 The Pentagon is preparing to add 20 new next-gen interceptors by 2028 to supplement the 44 currently deployed around the U.S.

🌍 International Concerns Are Mounting

Not everyone’s thrilled about a space-based missile defense system.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called the Golden Dome “a violation of peaceful space principles,” warning it could lead to an arms race in orbit.

And General Chance Saltzman, head of the U.S. Space Force, admitted that this would be an unprecedented military operation:

Even within U.S. defense circles, there are concerns about the sheer cost, feasibility, and geopolitical fallout.

🔮 What’s Next?

The Pentagon and U.S. Northern Command are currently drafting a capabilities document to define the Golden Dome’s specs and timeline.

As for Canada? Ottawa hasn’t ruled out participation—but the political optics of paying $71 billion, plus Trump’s constant jabs at Canadian independence, make it a tough sell domestically.

But with Russian, Chinese, and North Korean missile tech advancing fast, the pressure is building for Canada and the U.S. to lock in a truly continental defense strategy.

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