Overview

• President Donald Trump officially announced the Golden Dome missile defense system, aiming to counter advanced missile threats using ground- and space-based interceptors.
• Canada is considering joining the initiative but has not clarified its financial contributions or strategic role, with domestic debates intensifying over the risks and benefits.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates the project could cost $542 billion and take two decades, far exceeding Trump’s $175 billion and three-year timeline projection.
• Experts warn the system’s complexity, reliance on undeveloped technologies, and space-based components could trigger an arms race and destabilize global security norms.
• China has expressed strong opposition, citing concerns over space militarization and heightened geopolitical tensions, while critics question the project's practicality and long-term viability.