The Canadian government said it is in talks with the US over joining its proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system, aimed at countering “next-generation” aerial threats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said there are “active discussions” between Canada and the US on security, including on existing and new programmes like the Golden Dome.
US President Donald Trump unveiled the plan for the new missile defence system on Tuesday, announcing an initial pricetag of $25bn (£18.7bn). He said Canada was interested in joining the project.
There are doubts from experts on how the US would deliver a comprehensive system and it is unclear how Canada would participate or how much it would pay. Canada’s openness to joining the proposed Golden Dome system comes amid ongoing trade and security negotiations between the two countries, after Trump threatened steep tariffs on Canada and said it would be better off as a US state.
This galvanised a wave of national patriotism in Canada that was credited with ushering in a historic election win for Carney’s Liberal government.
“Canadians gave the prime minister a strong mandate to negotiate a comprehensive new security and economic relationship with the United States,” said Audrey Champoux, a spokeswoman for Carney.
“To that end, the prime minister and his ministers are having wide-ranging and constructive discussions with their American counterparts,” she said.
“These discussions naturally include strengthening Norad [North American Aerospace Defense Command] and related initiatives such as the Golden Dome.”
But Ms Champoux added it is too early to say what Canada might pay into the programme, or how it would work for the country.
Credit: bbc.com
