U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited a longstanding and controversial narrative, suggesting once again that Canada could become the "51st state" of the United States. This time, the remarks came during a high-profile address to top American military leaders at Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, 2025. The speech, which lasted 72 minutes and was attended by hundreds of military officials, was ostensibly about the progress of the ambitious "Golden Dome" missile defence project. Yet, it was Trump's comments about Canada that quickly stole the spotlight, stirring debate on both sides of the border.
According to Global News and National Post, Trump told the assembled military brass that Canada had recently reached out to his administration, expressing interest in joining the U.S.-led missile defence shield. "Canada called a few weeks ago to ask to be part of the missile defence shield," Trump claimed, repeating a story he had told several times since the spring. He went on to say, "Well, why don’t you just join our country? You become the 51st state and you get it for free." The implication was clear: Canada could either pay the hefty price tag of US$61 billion to participate in the Golden Dome project or, alternatively, join the United States and receive the protection gratis.
Trump’s remarks about the Golden Dome missile defence shield are nothing new. The program, billed by the White House as a multilayered missile defence system capable of countering threats from foreign-controlled satellites, carries an estimated cost of US$175 billion. A Congressional Budget Office report released in May 2025 put the price of maintaining only the space-based interceptors for 20 years at between $161 billion for the "lowest-cost alternative" and $542 billion for the highest tier. Trump has repeatedly stated that unless Canada agrees to become the 51st state, it will have to pay its way into the system. "Canada would have to pay US$61 billion to join the new defence network unless it becomes the 51st U.S. state," he reiterated, according to Global News.
The missile defence negotiations are just one facet of a much broader—and at times, fraught—relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty have both confirmed that Canada is interested in joining the Golden Dome, but only as part of a larger security agreement that has been under negotiation for months. This agreement is reportedly being discussed in tandem with a new trade deal, further complicating the already delicate diplomatic dance between Ottawa and Washington.
Trade tensions have been simmering for some time, and Trump did not shy away from addressing them during his speech. He claimed that Canada is "having a hard time" because tariffs are driving business back to the United States. "They’re having a hard time up there in Canada now because, as you know, with tariffs, everyone’s coming into our country," Trump told the audience, as reported by the National Post. These comments echo previous statements Trump has made about the U.S.-Canada trade deficit, which he has pegged at $100 billion, and his threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods.
The impact of these trade tensions is not just political—it’s personal for many Canadians. An Ipsos poll conducted for Global News and released in late September found that 56 percent of respondents had bought Canadian products or made investments in the past two weeks specifically because of the ongoing trade dispute. Nearly 60 percent said they had consciously avoided American products. Another Ipsos poll revealed a growing sense of distrust toward the United States among Canadians, a sentiment that seems to be deepening as the rhetoric escalates.
Trump’s "51st state" comments have a history that stretches back to December 2024, before he was sworn in for his current term. The idea first surfaced after a meeting between former prime minister Justin Trudeau and Trump’s team at Mar-A-Lago, where Trump reportedly joked about Canada joining the U.S. The banter has since become a recurring theme in Trump’s public statements and social media posts. In one post, he wrote, "No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year. Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!"
The notion has not gone over well north of the border. Prime Minister Carney, who took office in March 2025, has tried to keep the focus on constructive dialogue. When asked in April about Trump’s repeated suggestions, Carney said, "We talked about lots of things, okay. And what’s important is the conclusions of the call, the results of the call, and those are exactly the same on the American side and the Canadian side… And those were that it was very constructive." Nevertheless, Trump’s comments have continued, with some reports indicating that he even urged Canadian voters to "elect the man" who would allow Canada to join the U.S. on the eve of the last federal election, prompting Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to publicly rebuke the U.S. president and demand that he "stay out of our election."
In early May 2025, Carney and Trump met in person at the White House. When pressed by reporters about the 51st state idea, Trump replied, "never say never," while Carney, standing next to him, was seen mouthing the word "never." Later that month, Carney and a Canadian delegation traveled to Washington for further talks. According to National Post, Trump again floated the US$61 billion price tag for Golden Dome access or the alternative of joining the United States for free protection.
The latest round of remarks has not gone unnoticed in Canada. Louisiana Lt.-Gov. Billy Nungesser, a Republican, said this week that Trump should apologize to Canada for both his "51st state" comments and the tariffs on Canadian goods, which he said "have really left a bad taste in Canadians’ mouths." Meanwhile, Canada’s Prime Minister’s Office and Global Affairs Canada have been contacted for comment but have yet to issue a formal response, according to the National Post.
As the Golden Dome project moves ahead and trade negotiations continue, Trump’s recurring "51st state" rhetoric has become a lightning rod for debate about sovereignty, security, and the future of the U.S.-Canada relationship. Whether these comments are meant as political theater, a negotiating tactic, or a genuine policy proposal, they have undeniably struck a nerve with Canadians and Americans alike. The coming weeks will reveal whether the two nations can find common ground—or whether the rhetoric will continue to overshadow the real work of diplomacy.