Overview

• Prime Minister Mark Carney and UN Ambassador Bob Rae publicly rejected the proposal to make Canada the 51st state for free access to Golden Dome, with Rae calling it a “protection racket.”
• Canada’s defence minister has said the cost of joining remains unclear as Ottawa pursues exploratory discussions on integrating the system with NORAD.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates the actual cost of Golden Dome could reach $831 billion over 20 years, eclipsing the administration’s $175 billion projection.
• SpaceX, Palantir and Anduril are poised to supply the space-based interceptors and sensors, but experts warn that untested technology and a 2029 deadline may be unworkable.
• China and North Korea have condemned the plan as a threat to regional security, warning it could trigger a new space arms race.