Latest news with #GoldenDomeSystem
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's how Trump responded to King Charles' Canadian throne speech
King Charles III opened a session of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa this week, and used the moment to challenge President Donald Trump's overtures to Canada, a member of the Commonwealth. Charles delivered a 'speech from the throne' — a tradition based on the continuing relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom. The speech is usually given by the governor general, the king's representative to Canada, but Charles delivered the remarks this year. In his speech on Tuesday, the king addressed Trump's statements about making Canada the 51st state. Specifically, Charles called 'the true north (Canada) ... indeed strong and free,' per The Washington Post. Trump immediately and indirectly countered the king's statements by once again petitioning that Canada become the 51st state. This time, he attached a gift to the offer: missile protection in the form of the planned 'Golden Dome' defense system. '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 posted to Truth Social. 'They are considering the offer!' The Golden Dome, which is not yet under construction, will strengthen America's defenses against elite weapons. According to Politico, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney petitioned the king to help deliver his government's 'message of sovereignty' to Trump amid the latter's tariff and annexation threats. Though Charles did not refer to the president by name, he did emphasize that the U.S. and Canada are 'sovereign nations' with a friendship 'rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests.' Canadian officials told the media that the speech was intended not just for Canadian listeners, but also for the White House. Canadians overwhelmingly oppose joining the United States — and so do, in fact, a majority of the U.S. public. Carney's successful campaign was based in part on an anti-Trump, pro-Canadian platform, per The Independent. Nevertheless, both Canada and the United States are currently negotiating another trade deal, per The Wall Street Journal. If successful, Canada could see Trump's tariffs on Canadian production removed, including 25 percent taxes on Canadian steel, aluminum, vehicles and more. United States manufacturers would also see a reprieve from Canada's retaliatory tariffs, which tax about $43 billion of American imports at 25 percent. Trump has long expressed ambitions to take over Canada, which is home to vast expanses of natural resources — including developable land, fishable and mineable waters and massive amounts of lumber, coal, oil, gold, per the BBC. Trump has also expressed serious interest in annexing Greenland. He has in fact insisted that Greenland is vital to American national security. On a May 4 interview, he told media that he would not 'rule out' using military force to take over the island, per CNN. 'We need Greenland very badly,' Trump said. 'Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security.' Like Canada rejected his annexation proposal, so have Greenland and Denmark.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state
Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state originally appeared on TheStreet. The crypto market traded flat on Wednesday as Bitcoin hovered around $109,000 and Ether stayed just above $2,670. But outside the charts, geopolitical tension took center stage after former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered an eyebrow-raising offer to Canada: become the 51st state, and access missile defense for free. Trump said Canada would otherwise have to pay $61 billion to join his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, a massive $175 billion project he claims will be operational by the end of his term in 2029. '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,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'But (it) will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that high-level talks had been held over the defense system but brushed off Trump's statehood suggestion during a recent visit to the White House, saying his country was 'never for sale.' Despite existing defense coordination through NORAD, the proposal has sparked fresh friction between the two North American allies — even as Trump tries to sweeten the deal. There was no immediate official response from Canada following Trump's latest statement. Geopolitical tensions — especially those involving major powers like the U.S. — often create uncertainty in traditional markets, which can spill over into crypto. When events like Trump's $61 billion ultimatum to Canada or broader military defense moves make headlines, investors tend to reassess global stability. This can push some toward crypto as a hedge, especially Bitcoin, which is often viewed as "digital gold" during times of fiat or geopolitical risk. However, this shift isn't always immediate or predictable — it depends on how serious and prolonged the tensions are. At the same time, rising geopolitical friction can also lead to tighter regulations, cross-border capital controls, or increased surveillance, all of which impact how crypto moves globally. For example, any hint that Canada or the U.S. might clamp down on capital outflows or enforce stricter cross-border payment rules could drive local users to shift funds into crypto. So while crypto didn't react sharply to the Canada–Trump tension this week, long-term shifts in diplomatic alliances and defense posturing can subtly reshape the global crypto landscape. Trump dangles free missile defense, if Canada becomes the 51st state first appeared on TheStreet on May 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Why Donald Trump's response to the King's speech should focus Canadian minds
Think of it as the real response to King Charles' Throne Speech, the one that really counts—for the moment, at least. Or call it Donald Trump's bluff to Prime Minister Mark Carney: I'll see your king and raise you…a missile defence shield. In veiled terms, that was the message the U.S. president sent to his northern neighbour, bringing the pomp-and-circumstance of Tuesday's historic Royal visit back to the harsh-and-crude basics of modern-day geopolitics. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I told Canada, which 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,' Trump wrote on social media, 'but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our the cherished 51 st State.' Federal Politics Mark Carney confirms Canada in talks to join Donald Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defence system Alex Ballingall The plans for an American missile defence system were unveiled earlier this month. The purpose is to better protect against the advanced and aggressive capabilities developed by adversarial countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran that could be launched from the ground, sea or space. In a very real way, the longstanding question of continental defence from such a hypothetical attack neatly explains part of America's uncomfortable interest in taking on, or taking over, Canada. In the Cold War with the Soviet Union, a system of radars was established across the Canadian Arctic, known as the Distant Early Warning Line. It was a geographic reality that this country would have been the front or the no-man's land in a dreaded nuclear war between Washington and Moscow that never came to pass. That nature of the threat is in constant flux, but the reality that the Canadian and American fates are intertwined when it comes to the defence of the continent hasn't fundamentally changed. Canada rejected the overtures of then-president George W. Bush to join the Ballistic Missile Defence system in 2005, with then-prime minister Paul Martin ultimately deciding it was better to bend to the will of opposition parties in a minority Parliament than to an American leader burnishing his credentials as a war monger and pariah. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We respect the right of the United States to defend itself and its people,' Martin said at the time. 'However, BMD is not where we will concentrate our efforts.' Classic Canadian good manners won't count for much this time around. With Trump in his second presidential term keen to exert greater influence in the region—from Panama's canal in the south to Greenland's shores and resources in the north—opting out of a common defence project only bolsters the view of Canada as a weak link in North America. Pulling out or refusing to pay a part of the estimated US$175-billiion bill (CAD$242 billion) would leave Canada to be viewed in Washington as a risk for the U.S. in a much more concrete way than the exaggerated earlier claims that this country is a conduit for U.S.-bound fentanyl and migrants. Trump ended Wednesday's online intervention, saying of Canada: 'They are considering the offer.' Federal Politics Opinion Susan Delacourt: It might have been the King's speech, but the message to Donald Trump was all Mark Carney Susan Delacourt This is no doubt true. The prime minister has already confirmed that talks are underway about Canada joining the Golden Dome project. It's one piece in a wider discussion about Ottawa upping its security and defence game. One of his first acts upon taking over the Liberal leadership and becoming Prime Minister was to travel to Nunavut and announce the purchase of a $6 billion radar system from Australia. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Against the menace of U.S. trade tariffs, the announcement was seen as rebuke to our neighbours—a message that you can't target Canada and expect Canadian tax dollars to continue being spent on military equipment that enriches American defence companies. But reversing decades of Canadian defence policy and joining Trump's Golden Dome project could be just as difficult to pull off, James Fergusson, a University of Manitoba associate professor of politics, wrote in an April analysis of Canada's ballistic missile 'dilemma' for the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. 'To reverse Canadian policy, likely interpreted as caving into Trump, will require bold leadership which is not necessarily the hallmark of Canadian governments,' he noted. Be it sovereignty, statehood or something else along that spectrum, the stakes are high if Canada blinks in the missile-defence gamble. Those fed up with Trump's threats may bristle at yet another instance of American interference. But for those who hope that the Carney government follows through on its solemn vow to make Canada more strong, more sovereign, less dependent on our neighbours to the south in every respect, Trump's message—essentially, pay up or give up—could be a a motivator and welcome reminder. Throne speeches, which mark the opening of a new session of Parliament, are too-often filled with platitudes and vague promises to be forgotten or to go unfulfilled. How many pledges have been abandoned to the realities of parliamentary politics? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW This is particularly true for a minority government that must seek issue-by-issue support from opposition parties to implement its agenda. The Carney Liberals form such a minority government. But with the NDP reduced to a leaderless 7-MP rump, Pierre Poilievre leading the Conservative Party from outside the House of Commons, and the Bloc Quebecois offering to collaborate—at least in the short term—it has a fair bit of breathing room. Room that will be needed to pass enhance border security, negotiate new trade and defence partnerships, hire more police officers, strengthen gun controls and adopt stiffer penalties for law-breakers. King Charles uses throne speech to bolster Canada's autonomy against Donald Trump's threats All of these were promised in a Throne Speech that appears to be focused, laser-like, on building Canada stronger in response to the weaknesses exposed with Trump's return to power. Whatever one thinks about the merits or effectiveness of the president's bully approach to, well, everything, it has sharpened Canadian minds on a national project, the likes of which the country hasn't had in some time. Every Canada-focused intervention, every all-caps message about the 51 st state, every tariff taunt is a reminder that Washington is watching with an unforgiving eye that will not be lifted, even if the president's megaphone mouth goes temporarily quiet. Correction - May 28, 2025 This article was updated to note that US $175 billion is $242 billion Canadian. The Canadian conversion was misstated in millions.
American Military News
3 days ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Canada ‘considering' offer to become 51st state for free Golden Dome, Trump says
President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Canada was 'considering' his proposal to become America's 'cherished 51st State' in exchange for free protection from the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system proposed by his administration. In a Tuesday statement on Truth Social, 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. They are considering the offer!' Over the first several months of his administration, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st state. Fox News reported that Canada's leaders and citizens have pushed back against Trump's 51st state proposal, which helped lead to the recent election of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. During a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office earlier this month, Carney told the president, 'There are some places that are never for sale.' The Canadian prime minister added, 'Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign… it's not for sale. [It] won't be for sale ever.' Carney: There are some places that are never for sale. Trump: That's true. Carney: We're sitting in one right now. Canada is not for sale and won't be for sale ever — FactPost (@factpostnews) May 6, 2025 According to Fox News, Trump confirmed last week that the architecture for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system had been selected and that the system would use satellites to detect, track, and intercept potential ballistic missiles. The outlet noted that Trump claimed the missile defense system is expected to cost roughly $175 billion and that it could be 'fully operational' within approximately three years. Fox News reported that Trump also announced last week that Canada wanted to be included as part of the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system. 'Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it,' Trump said. 'So we'll be talking to them; they want to have protection also.' READ MORE: Canada frantically funding military amid Trump threats: Report In a statement obtained last week by Fox News, Carney's office confirmed that the United States and Canada were engaging in 'active discussions' regarding various security programs, including the Trump administration's missile defense system. A Carney spokesperson told BBC News, 'Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States.' 'To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,' the spokesperson added. 'These discussions naturally include strengthening [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome.'
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
King Charles says Canada is ‘strong and free'
OTTAWA: King Charles III hailed Canada as 'strong and free' as he delivered a major speech to open parliament in Ottawa against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's threats to take over the country. 'Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect,' King Charles said, adding that Canada was facing a 'critical moment.' To loud applause, he drew on the national anthem as he said 'the true north is indeed strong and free!' Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the 76-year-old British monarch—Canada's head of state as it is a Commonwealth member—to the capital, accompanied by Queen Camilla. The king has never publicly commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state, but his language was closely watched for veiled references. Although the speech was read by the king as if it were his own words, it was written by the prime minister's office to set out the government's priorities to 'build Canada strong' and how it aims to achieve them. In addition to his annexation threats, Trump has also launched tariff wars, particularly targeting Canada. 'The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing,' Charles said, in cautious words. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War.' Not to be outdone, Trump on Tuesday posted on his TruthSocial platform about annexing Canada—eliding mention of King Charles—by offering protection from his proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system. '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 said, adding: 'They are considering the offer!' There was no immediate response from Canada to Trump's claims. 'Symbolism' The speech was delivered in the Senate—a former railway station that has been converted while parliament undergoes renovations—with past prime ministers, Supreme Court justices and Indigenous leaders in feather headdresses in attendance. 'You see the enthusiasm for our institutions,' Carney told reporters, pointing to cheering crowds that awaited the king. 'Our sovereignty is strong.' King Charles's 'speech from the throne' was the first by a monarch in nearly half a century. It was delivered by Charles's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1957 and 1977. 'In terms of symbolism, it's extraordinary,' said Felix Mathieu, a politics professor at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. Tuesday's event, Mathieu said, was a message to Trump to show him that 'Canada is not alone in this fight.' Carney has vowed to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to 'stand up' to Trump. Charles said in the speech that Canada would also 'build new alliances' and seek out 'reliable trading partners and allies around the world,' while reinvesting in its military and Arctic defense. 'Canada is ready to build a coalition of like-minded countries that share its values, that believe in international cooperation and the free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas,' he said. Festive welcome Thousands gathered along a parade route for a chance to see the monarch arriving in a carriage escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers on horseback. The atmosphere was festive, with people waving Canadian flags, a 21-gun salute and a fighter jet flyover. The king stopped several times to speak with people along a security fence before and after his speech. Kirsten Hanson, 44, said she welcomed the king's show of support as the pressure grows from the United States. 'If there's anything that he can do to demonstrate Canada's sovereignty I think that that's fantastic,' she told AFP. 'Nobody wants to be absorbed into the US.' 'Elbows up,' said Marion Hand, 88, in reference to Carney's battle cry in the face of Trump's annexation threats. She traveled from Mississauga, Ontario for the event and was visibly giddy after shaking hands with the king and queen. - AFP
