Trump Says Canada Wants to Join New U.S. Missile-Defence Shield, Ottawa Confirms Talks Are Underway

Washington D.C., The Gulf Observer: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Canada has expressed interest in joining a new American missile-defence initiative, marking a significant development in cross-border security cooperation.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump unveiled plans for the “Golden Dome,” a $175 billion USD, multi-year missile shield project aimed at defending against a wide range of threats, including intercontinental, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. He revealed that Canada has formally approached the U.S. about becoming a participant.

“Canada has called us and they want to be a part of it,” Trump said. “They want to hook in and they want to be a part of it. They’ll pay their fair share — we’ll work with them on pricing.”

In response, Ottawa confirmed that preliminary discussions are taking place but emphasized that no final decisions have been made. A government spokesperson described missile-defence collaboration as part of the broader trade and security talks currently underway between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration and the U.S.

Unresolved Questions Remain

Despite Trump’s assertion, key details about Canada’s potential involvement remain unclear. It is not yet known what specific role Canada would play, how much it would contribute financially, or how the arrangement would differ from existing defense cooperation under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Canada has long partnered with the U.S. through NORAD, sharing surveillance data and monitoring North American airspace. However, it has historically declined to join the American missile-defence program, most notably in 2005 when Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government opted out, citing concerns over sovereignty and strategic ambiguity.

That decision left Canada outside the decision-making circle in the event of a missile strike, despite its contributions to early warning systems.

Renewed Urgency Amid Technological Shifts

Recent geopolitical developments and aging Canadian infrastructure have reignited interest in missile defence. The U.S.’s new initiative, described as more advanced and integrated than Israel’s Iron Dome, is being developed at a time when Canada’s northern radar systems are nearing obsolescence.

Ottawa has already committed to modernizing its Arctic surveillance network, a move that aligns with broader discussions about enhancing continental security in an era of evolving missile threats.

As negotiations continue, Canada’s potential participation in the Golden Dome program marks a pivotal moment in its defence policy — one that could reshape its role in continental security for decades to come.