Trump's 'Golden Dome' Pitch to Canada: Pay $61B To Join Missile Shield — Or Become 51st US State And Get It Free

U.S. President Donald Trump has an offer for Canada if it were to be part of the “Golden Dome” cutting-edge missile defense shield project that he announced last week.

The Trump administration plans to build the “Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield,” which can intercept missiles, even those launched from the other end of the world or space. It is estimated to cost $175 billion.

Late Tuesday, Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had asked Canada to pay $61 billion to be part of “our fabulous Golden Dome System” if the country chooses to remain a “separate but unequal Nation.”

However, Trump said it would “cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State.” 

“They are considering the offer!” he added.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the U.S. may have to spend as much as $542 billion over 20 years to develop and launch the space interceptors. 

Following Trump’s announcement last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that “high level talks” were ongoing for joining the proposed “Golden Dome” project.

At that time, Carney said, “We are conscious that we have an ability, if we so choose, to complete the Golden Dome with investments and partnership.”

"But I'm not sure one negotiates on this. These are military decisions. And we will evaluate it accordingly."

The U.S. and Canada have had a partnership in place since 1958 called NORAD. This system is responsible for aerospace and maritime surveillance, warning, and defence of the region and can detect and shoot down cruise missiles.

The Trump administration officials hinted that the project would involve more Silicon Valley than big metal, suggesting that new-age software-focused companies, along with legacy defense companies, could also be lined up for it.

Retail traders believe that Palantir Technologies, Inc. (PLTR), which already has a presence in the defense sector, could be a big beneficiary of the project.

Analysts also see RTX (RTX), Northrop Grumman (NOC), Lockheed Martin (LMT), and L3Harris Technologies (LHX) as potential beneficiaries, CNBC reported.

The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) ETF and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have gained 2.1% and 1.2%, respectively, this year.

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