[By Guancha Observer Network, Liu Chenghui]

The "Golden Dome" missile defense system, which was announced by Trump with great fanfare, has received some "bad news" - the country that he has frequently targeted, Canada, is an indispensable node for this system.

According to a report by Politico, a key detail was overlooked when Trump introduced the "Golden Dome" system last week: without Canada, this system may not be able to be built, as Canada possesses critical Arctic airspace and geographical position, playing an important role in tracking missiles from Russia and China.

However, due to Trump's tariff policies and annexation remarks, relations between the two countries have become distant, and Canada's attitude towards this matter is not positive. The funding issue also brings many uncertainties to this plan.

According to U.S. government officials and experts, this hallmark missile defense project, which could cost up to $500 billion, depends on Canada providing radar deployment locations and airspace rights in the Arctic region to effectively track missile threats from Russia and China. However, it remains unclear whether Canada is willing to participate.

On May 20th, Trump announced the construction of the "Golden Dome" at the White House. Visual China.

Canada's vast airspace provides crucial visibility for detecting missiles flying over the Arctic region.

"The real value of Canada lies in its geographical location," said Glen VanHerck, former commander of the U.S. Northern Command. If the U.S. can deploy beyond-the-horizon radars in the Arctic region, it will greatly enhance the early warning capabilities of both the U.S. and Canada against directions such as Russia and China.

Canada has always played an important role in North American air defense and missile defense. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), with a history of 67 years, ensures that the U.S. and Canadian forces work together daily to track any targets approaching their airspace. The radar systems of the two countries share information, and aircraft also patrol the Arctic together, jointly intercepting approaching Russian aircraft and bombers.

Canada shoulders about 40% of NORAD's financial expenditures and has committed to investing 38 billion Canadian dollars over the next 20 years to upgrade the northern radar network.

"Canada's decision on where to deploy 'beyond-the-horizon' radars will be very crucial," said an anonymous Republican Senate aide. "Without Canada, the 'Golden Dome' project will be much more difficult."

In order to ensure the operation of the system, Canada needs to deploy more radars and interceptors within its territory and participate more actively in aerial defense work.

"What we truly hope is that they can participate in the production of these equipment and are willing to deploy them in their own territory when necessary," said Tory Bruno, president of United Launch Alliance, a U.S. rocket launch contractor.

Despite Trump's insistence that Canada is eager to join, Canada is being cautious.

"We still have many unknowns," said Conservative MP Sharvoi Majumdar. "There are still many matters to be determined regarding economic and security cooperation between the U.S. and Canada."

The report noted that regardless of how "lightly" Trump had previously described Canada's role, and despite his repeated accusations that Canada "free-rides" on America's military protection, the reality is that the president who initiated the tariff war and damaged U.S.-Canada relations suddenly finds himself needing to re-win this neglected ally.

Canadian Prime Minister Kenny once warned the U.S. not to take Canada for granted and expressed that Canada would start seeking other security partners. This tense relationship has given Canada certain strategic leverage over the "Golden Dome" project.

Jack Reed, chief Democratic senator of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said: "Trump's words have alienated a large number of Canadians, and this sentiment is reflected in political leaders. It's no longer the honeymoon period between the U.S. and Canada."

On the other hand, some of Trump's supporters believe that Canada's importance to the "Golden Dome" project has been overstated.

For example, Dan Sullivan, a Republican senator from Alaska, said that Canada "may be helpful, but it is not crucial or vital."

The funding issue is also one of the challenges facing the "Golden Dome." The White House has requested Congress to initially allocate $25 billion for the "Golden Dome." However, the Canadian Parliament will not formulate the budget until autumn. Whether Canada is willing to participate in ballistic missile interception is still being fiercely debated domestically.

"This is something we are indeed studying, and discussions have taken place at higher levels," Kenny said last week in Ottawa. "But this is not yet a certainty; it requires negotiation."

It is worth noting that regardless of the prospects of the "Golden Dome" project, this move by the U.S. has already intensified the militarization of outer space and the risk of arms race.

Fu Yi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on the 21st that the U.S., pursuing "America First," is obsessed with seeking its own absolute security, violating the principle that national security should not be diminished, and undermining global strategic balance and stability. China is seriously concerned about this and urges the U.S. to abandon the development and deployment of the global anti-missile system as soon as possible, enhancing major-country strategic trust through concrete actions and safeguarding global strategic stability.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Observer Network and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7508999688335442466/

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