WASHINGTON — President Trump claimed Tuesday that Canada is “considering” becoming the 51st state in exchange for being included within his “Golden Dome” missile defense program.
Trump made the claim hours after King Charles III gave a thinly veiled rebuke of the US president’s attempt to annex Canada in a speech to the Ottawa parliament.
“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,” Trump, 78, wrote on Truth Social.
“They are considering the offer!”
Trump began tauntingly referring to Canada as the potential 51st state last year — also referring to then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” — and this year slapped a 25% tariff on non-USMCA-compliant imports, as well as 25% levies on Canadian steel, aluminum and cars.
The president has had better relations with Trudeau’s successor Mark Carney, but insisted while hosting him in the Oval Office on May 3 that he hasn’t given up on his expansionist idea.
“I say, ‘Never say never,’” Trump told Carney. “I’ve had many, many things that were not doable and ended up being doable.”
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