Featured Image Credit: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Canada, Politics, Tariffs
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Canada, Politics, Tariffs
Donald Trump’s $175 billion (£130 billion) missile defence system, dubbed the ‘Golden Dome,’ has already raised eyebrows around the world.
And now the 78-year-old American president is facing even more open ridicule after claiming Canada was ‘considering’ his offer of joining the United States.
The president launched a trade war against his country's neighbour and made threats to annex Canada as America’s 51st state.
Trump warned Canada it'll be slapped with a staggering bill for his controversial system - which aims to shield the US from the threat of 'foreign missile attacks' - if it refuses to comply with his request.
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Despite criticism from China, the president boldly declared that Canada is eager to join in a post on his own social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday (27 May).
He declared that the country would need to cough up billions of dollars in order to be part of the expensive missile defence system - but it could do so for free should it give up its sovereignty and become the US' 51st state.
Trump wrote: "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”.
The US president excitedly added: "They are considering the offer!"
But, understandably, not everyone is buying into the bold claim and the news is being taken with a pinch of salt.
While Canadian officials are yet to publicly confirm or deny the claim, they haven’t minced their words in the past when it comes to selling their country.
Earlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told Trump: “Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale ever.”
The country’s citizens are also strongly opposed to the offer, according to a poll conducted in March, Toronto City News reports.
Results showed that four in five Canadians strongly opposed the idea of becoming the 51st state and a majority of 78 percent are concerned with the rhetoric pushed by Trump.
While Trump's critics also made their feelings clear on social media, penning: "I have a feeling this is the first that Canada is hearing about them considering the offer" and "Is Canada even aware they are considering this?"
Another joked: "Lmao show me a single person in Canada that would consider an offer to join the US."
Meanwhile, a third shared Trump's post and quipped: "Narrator: Canada is not considering the offer."
But all hope is not lost for the American president as last week Carney said that ‘high level’ talks were in fact taking place with the US about joining the ‘Golden Dome,’ according to BBC News.
He elusively said: ‘"It's something that we are looking at and something that has been discussed at a high level."
Adding: "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 these are military decisions. And we will evaluate it accordingly."