Trump: "If Canada becomes our 51st state, our defense system will be free!"

U.S. President Donald Trump once again drew public attention with a controversial statement. In a post published on May 27 on the social network Truth Social, he openly addressed Canada — if it becomes the 51st state of the United States, the "Golden Dome" air defense system will be offered completely free. But if the country remains independent and wants to join the American defense system as a separate partner, the service will cost $61 billion.

— I told Canada: if you want to take part in our Golden Dome system as an independent state, it will cost you $61 billion. But if you join us as the 51st state — then it will cost zero dollars. They are seriously considering it! — wrote Trump.

Trump's words have sparked serious discussion not only in Canada but also in the international political arena. According to CBC, his statement coincided with a significant political event in Canada — the speech of King Charles III of Great Britain in the Canadian Parliament. In his speech, the King promised to protect the people of Canada and their sovereign rights.

King Charles III arrived in the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney. As BBC reminded, the last time a British monarch addressed the Canadian Parliament was 48 years ago. That speech was delivered by Charles’s mother — the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Trump’s “51st state” proposal is, of course, not official and is viewed as a personal political initiative. However, the statement may spark new debates in U.S.-Canada relations. Especially when it comes to strategic fields like air defense, such heavy “humor” indicates increasing diplomatic tension.

So far, the Canadian government has not made an official statement on the matter. But experts interpret these remarks not as a serious geopolitical message but as one of Trump’s typical populist statements. At the same time, it shows that ahead of the upcoming elections, he continues to imagine U.S. foreign policy in a new format.