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Donald Trump's latest dealings with Canada involve a major ultimatum, demanding that the neighboring nation accept his terms and become the '51st State', or face a loss of $61,000,000,000.
Among renaming feuds, controversial tariff plans, and a wild defense program branded the 'dumbest idea in history', US President Donald Trump's keen rivalry with neighboring country Canada has been one of the tenets of his return to office.
In fact, the tariff war began with import charges placed on goods from a trio of Mexico, China, and Canada, and it all appears to be part of a larger power play to fold the country into America as the '51st State'.
The Canadian government and its citizens have incredibly resistant to this idea, with both former and current Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney affirming that the country is 'not for sale', and many have even signed a petition asking for Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship to be revoked.
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However, Trump has issued a new 'deal' gift-wrapped in the form of an ultimatum, outlining significant consequences if Canada resists joining the US once more.
As reported by UNILAD, Trump has given Canada the choice between becoming the 51st State - and alongside it access to a key military program - or remaining independent while losing a significant chunk of money.
The president explained this latest negotiation tactic on his Truth Social account, writing:
"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!"
How seriously you want to take Trump's claim that Canada is 'considering' the offer is up to you, especially since the nation has remained uncompromising in its opposing stance so far, yet there's no doubt that the deal itself does exist.
The implication here, as per Bloomberg, is that it would cost Canada $61 billion to become a part of the Golden Dome program if it remains a separate nation, but in becoming part of America they wouldn't need to pay a penny. Canada currently spends just under $30 billion on its military every year, so doubling this figure on a single program would certainly be a tough ask.
If you're unaware, Trump's 'Golden Dome System' is a new military scheme that would give America, if successful, the most effective anti-missile defense system ever created.
It would boast the ability to prevent even nuclear missiles from striking America, giving the country significant protections if a new World War was to break out, and it's not hard to understand why Canada would want to be a part of that - especially as a neighbor to the United States.
Experts have poked holes in the viability of such a scheme, indicating that it would be easy to override its defenses, and many have questioned the significant time and money it would take to build such a system, but in Trump's eyes it's currently the most powerful card he can play in negotiations with Canada.
