WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump returned to his “51st state” rhetoric about Canada while giving an unprecedented speech to top military leaders today.

The president was speaking about his “Golden Dome” missile defence plans in front of military officials who had been abruptly summoned to Quantico, near Washington.

Trump told the assembly that “Canada called” a few weeks ago to ask to be part of the missile defence shield.

Trump said he replied that Canada should join the United States to get it for free.

Trump to generals: "Canada called me a couple weeks ago. They want to be a part of it. To which I said, 'Well, why don't you just join our country. Become the 51st state. And you get it for free!' So I don't know if that made a big impact but it does make a lot of sense." pic

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