“Join Us or Pay!” – Trump’s Ultimatum to Canada!
Canada’s refusal to finalize its F-35 fighter jet contract has drawn a sharp rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who floated statehood as a way to dodge a $61 billion defense bill—an idea swiftly rejected by Ottawa.
At a Glance
Canada’s F-35 jet purchase remains under review despite a two-decade procurement process
Donald Trump suggested Canada could join the U.S. to avoid a $61 billion NORAD upgrade cost
Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s sovereignty and rejected the proposal
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned the delay could undermine Canada’s NORAD role
The dispute has reignited concerns about Canada’s military readiness and interoperability
Trump’s Provocation and Canada’s Response
President Donald Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state to avoid paying for participation in the so-called “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Trump claimed the alternative would be a $61 billion bill if Canada remained “a separate, but unequal, Nation.”
Ottawa wasted no time rebuffing the idea. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Mark Carney responded unequivocally, affirming that “Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and it will remain one.” The jab landed during an already tense moment in Canada-U.S. defense relations, where unresolved equipment upgrades have begun to fray long-standing trust.
Watch a report: Canada’s NORAD future questioned over F-35 delays.
The F-35 Debacle
Canada joined the F-35 development program back in 2002, yet over two decades later, it has not received a single aircraft. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once campaigned against the fighter jets before his government reversed course in 2023. Now, Prime Minister Carney has reopened the debate, with alternatives from France, Sweden, and the UK back under consideration.
The chronic indecision has raised alarms in Washington. U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned that failure to adopt the F-35 platform might render Canada incompatible with NORAD’s evolving architecture. “[There are] criteria… and some of those criteria are being questioned right now,” Hoekstra said in a pointed interview.
Implications for NORAD and Sovereignty
NORAD’s success depends on tight interoperability between American and Canadian forces. The F-35 is a cornerstone of this alliance, linking Canadian pilots into real-time defense networks used by the U.S., UK, and Australia. Defense analysts argue that choosing an alternate jet platform could fracture that synergy, endangering Canada’s role in early warning and continental missile defense systems.
Meanwhile, the “Golden Dome” controversy continues to stir debate. Trump’s $61 billion estimate has been widely criticized as arbitrary, but it has succeeded in casting doubt on Canada’s defense credibility. Even King Charles III reportedly raised the issue during a recent visit, reinforcing the symbolic weight of Canadian sovereignty amid U.S. pressure.
For Canada, the choice is now clear: commit to modernizing its defenses in alignment with key allies—or risk losing its seat at the NORAD table altogether.