The president of the United States, Donald Trump, caused anticipation on Tuesday by stating that Canada is "considering" becoming the 51st U.S. state in exchange for being included free of charge in his proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system.
The statement was made in a post on Truth Social, just hours after King Charles III, head of state of Canada and 14 other countries, delivered a speech before the Canadian parliament in which he made a veiled criticism of Trump's proposed annexation attempt.
"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, but it will cost ZERO dollars if they become our beloved 51st State," wrote Trump, 78 years old.
King Charles's speech referred to the context of uncertainty the country is experiencing, stating that "Canada faces challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented" and acknowledging the anxiety of many citizens in the face of the changing international landscape. His words were interpreted as an indirect response to Trump's attempt to pressure Ottawa.
Trump has hinted since last year at the possibility of Canada becoming the next state of the union, ironically referring to then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "governor" of Canada.
