Minister defends Canada's sovereignty as Trump says Golden Dome would cost 'zero dollars' for 51st state

Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canada will control its defence spending, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his rhetoric to make the country the 51st state — this time in exchange for protection under a proposed missile defence system.

"I learned a long time ago when it comes to managing relationships with other countries, you can only control what you can control," McGuinty told reporters ahead of a caucus meeting Wednesday.

"And what we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security. We can also control our expenditures." 

Trump posted on social media Tuesday that it will cost Canada $61 billion US to join the Golden Dome system "if they remain a separate, but unequal, nation," but will cost nothing "if they become our cherished 51st state."

McGuinty did not engage on the $61-billion price tag, only saying the fall budget will have more details. 

"I'm not in a position to evaluate the numbers," he said. "When we bring a budget out we'll have a lot more to say about what we're going to do."

Trump's renewed 51st state rhetoric came just hours after King Charles made a whirlwind trip to Ottawa, where he delivered a speech from the throne that underscored Canada's unique identity and reaffirmed its sovereignty.

WATCH | Defence minister on Golden Dome cost: 

On Golden Dome, defence minister says Canada will control its own spending

2 days ago

Duration 1:26

David McGuinty, Canada's minister of national defence, was asked Wednesday about a post from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Canada would need to pay $61 billion to be part of a new missile defence system. McGuinty said Canada will control its own decisions when it comes to sovereignty, security and expenditures.

Trump's comment also seemed to counter the messaging his envoy to Ottawa, U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, has been heralding.

Just last week he told CBC's The House that the annexation saga is "over."

"Move on. If the Canadians want to keep talking about it — that's their business," he said.

"I'm not talking about it. Donald Trump is not talking about it."

'A bribe is a bribe': MP

Other Liberal MPs balked at the annexation comments on their way into the meeting ahead of the session's first question period.

"It's outrageous," Winnipeg West MP Doug Eyolfson said on his way into a caucus meeting on the hill.

"A bribe is a bribe to become the 51st state. And Canada won't take a bribe." 

Humber River-Black Creek Liberal MP Judy Sgro said Trump doesn't even know the real cost of the project and is trying to stir the pot.

"I think he's just like a little kid … who just likes to see how much trouble he can cause for his family."

Conservative MP Michael Barrett said the United States is still an ally and an important trading partner.

"It's time to move past what can only be described as a joke and get on with productive discussions between mature nations on an important trading and military partnership," said the Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands-Rideau Lakes representative.

'Do what's right for Canadians': minister

The Golden Dome plan, inspired by the Iron Dome that protects Israel from rockets, would greatly expand the U.S. air defence system.

Trump and other U.S. officials say the dome would be able to block missiles fired from other countries and from space, weaving together existing technologies with future tech that does not yet exist.

The president has said it would cost $175 billion US, although the Congressional Budget Office has said it could cost closer to $542 billion US.

Trump's Tuesday post claimed that Canada is "considering the offer" to join.

In response,  a spokesperson with the Prime Minister's Office said federal government officials are discussing security-related issues with the U.S., including the Golden Dome and the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).

Prime Minister Mark Carney whizzed past reporters Wednesday, saying he won't negotiate in public. Carney told Trump in a highly publicized Oval Office meeting that Canada is not for sale.

"We're going to continue to do what's right for Canadians and that includes making sure that we are secure, that we are sovereign," said McGuinty.

"And we're going to continue to manage our relationship with not just the United States, but as we heard the prime minister say yesterday, with the European Union." 

On Tuesday, Carney told CBC's Power & Politics in an interview that he hopes Canada will be able to join ReArm Europe, a major defence procurement pact, by July 1, in a step to reduce the country's dependence on the United States for weapons and munitions. 

That plan foresees European countries spending $1.25 trillion on defence over the next five years.