President Donald Trump said that Canada was “considering” handing away its statehood in exchange for free protection from the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, despite repeated statements from Canadian authorities that the nation is not for sale.
“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. They are considering the offer!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In recent months, Trump has threatened to invade Canada, a proposal strongly opposed by Canadian politicians and residents.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won an election last month in part because of Canadians’ resistance to Trump’s desire to incorporate the nation into the United States, informed Trump earlier this month that his country “won’t be for sale, ever.”
King Charles III, Canada’s acknowledged ruler, delivered a speech to the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday that appeared to reject Trump’s proposal to purchase the North American country and make it the 51st state of the United States.
“Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away,” he said. “And that, by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”
Regarding the “Golden Dome,” Trump said last week that the United States had formally picked the design for the missile defense system, which would establish a network of satellites to detect, track, and potentially intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
The US president stated that the project will cost $175 billion to develop and would be “fully operational” within three years. He also announced that Canada will be included in its safety net.
“Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we’ll be talking to them; they want to have protection also,” Trump said at the time.
Carney’s office said last week that there were “active discussions” between the U.S. and Canada on current and new security programs, including the “Golden Dome.”
“Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” a spokesperson for Carney told BBC News.
“To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts. These discussions naturally include strengthening [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome,” the spokesperson continued.
Republicans have regained a clear advantage over Democrats on the two issues voters care about most: the economy (R+8) and inflation (R+6), according to the latest polling.
Just last month, amid heightened tariff tensions, a Napolitan News Survey showed Democrats closing the gap—pulling even with Republicans on the economy (R+1) and even leading slightly on inflation (D+4).
But this month’s numbers mark a return to the broader trend seen earlier in the year, when Republicans held double-digit leads on both issues (R+10 on the economy in January and February; R+11 and R+9 on inflation in February and January, respectively).
The rebound in Republican trust appears tied to positive voter response to President Donald Trump’s recent trade deal with China and rising economic optimism. Inflation (29%) and the economy (25%) continue to rank as the top issues for voters.
Immigration and health care are tied as the third most important issues, each named by 12% of voters. Republicans hold a commanding lead on immigration (R+16), while Democrats are more trusted on health care (D+12).
Overall, on the issue voters care most about, 42% trust Republicans more, 41% trust Democrats, 6% trust both equally, and 10% trust neither, the news service noted.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
