Trump reveals plans for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system
President Donald Trump has announced plans for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system, modeled after Israel’s iron dome.
No Brands – News Value
President Donald Trump is still fishing in Canada, one of the world’s largest economies and boasting land just over US land, becoming the 51st state – this time offering the inclusion of Northern neighbours in an ambitious air defense system.
Trump hangs the proverb carrot in a May 27 post on social media platform Truth Social, writing that he can pay billions of dollars to join the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system or get it for free if he gives up sovereignty.
“I want Canada to be part of our amazing Golden Dome system, but if it’s an independent but unequal country it costs $61 billion, but when it comes to the precious 51st state, it costs $0 dollars,” Trump said in the post.
It’s not the first time two countries have discussed either topic. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly told Trump at the Oval Office meeting on May 6th that “his country is for sale” but later he was talking with the US president about joining the future defense system.
Republican leaders argued that Canada was considering the offer. This claim, which was quickly rejected by a spokesman with the Prime Minister’s Office, said on May 27 that authorities were discussing security-related issues with the United States, including the Golden Dome and North American Aerospace Defense Command (Nord).
“The Prime Minister is clear on every opportunity, including conversations with President Trump, that Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and that remains one,” a spokesman told the CBC.
What is Golden Dome?
The proposed US system of the United States, originally called the “American Iron Dome” by the White House, is inspired by Israel’s famous multi-layered defense system of the same name. Developed in collaboration with the United States, Israeli defense system consists of a collection of intercepted short-range rockets, shells and mortars. Collectively, these form the web or “dome” of air defense around approximately 8,500 square miles of a Middle Eastern nation, and are the size of New Jersey.
Trump issued an executive order a week after he performed his duties that ordered the development of the system, and announced a $25 billion initial investment in the ground and space-based Golden Dome project on May 20th. The president said in 2029 the system should “be fully operational before the end of my term.”
How does the Golden Dome work?
The Golden Dome Project aims to cover the country with three levels of air defense, according to Senate testimony by Northern Command Leader General Gregory Gillott. They are additional systems that handle incoming threats, sensors for targeting ballistic missiles targeting ground-based interceptor missiles, and low-altitude threats such as hypersensitivity missiles and enemy drones.
The GoldenDome is also intended to use a network of hundreds of satellites circling the Earth to knock out enemy missiles after lifting it from countries like China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.
The proposal has attracted criticism from experts over its feasibility and costs, but military rivals Russia and China have denounced the project. North Korea is also holding weight to oppose the proposed missile shield.
How much does it cost?
The first $25 billion in funding is included as part of the Trump-approved tax cuts Megabill, which is currently working through Congress, the president said. He has already chosen to design the Golden Dome system, he told reporters during the announcement on May 20th, and was named the ambitious program leader.
The president said the program would cost $175 billion, but an independent forecast from the Congressional Budget Office could exceed $800 billion in 20 years in a May 5 report.
Contributors: Davis Winkiie, USA Today; Reuters.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.
