Canada is in talks with the U.S. to join President Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, according to the Canadian government.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said there are “active discussions” between the two countries on existing and new security programs such as Golden Dome, the BBC reported.
The Canadian government didn’t immediately respond to questions from The Hill.
Trump on Tuesday announced the U.S. had officially selected the architecture for Golden Dome, a missile defense system that would create a network of satellites to detect, track and potentially intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
The project, which Trump claimed would cost $175 billion to build and be “fully operational” within three years, would also include Canada in its safety net.
“Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we’ll be talking to them; they want to have protection also,” Trump said at the White House.
Golden Dome is on track to receive $25 billion to jump-start the system, but the intended dollars are tied into the GOP’s reconciliation bill, which remains uncertain as GOP infighting in the House has stalled the legislation.
Critics of Golden Dome have called the new system unnecessary, expensive and far off from its intended use, given that the technology needed to create it is still being developed. The system would reportedly require 400 to 1,000 surveillance and attack satellites to detect and shoot down incoming hypersonic and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
“This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defense capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term,” Trump said. “Once fully constructed, Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space, and we will have the best system ever built.”
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the system would cost the U.S. more than $500 billion over 20 years to develop.
It’s not clear how Canada would participate in Golden Dome or whether it would help pay to create it.
Trump on Tuesday asserted Canada would “pay their fair share” for the system.
“Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” Audrey Champoux, a spokesperson for Carney, told the BBC.
“To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts. These discussions naturally include strengthening [North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome,” she said.
Ottawa is already a partner in NORAD, a joint organization of the United States and Canada for aerospace warning, air sovereignty and protection for both countries.
Canada’s purported inclusion in Golden Dome comes as trade and security negotiations between Ottawa and Washington have been rocky, with Trump threatening steep tariffs on its northern neighbor.
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