U.S. President Donald Trump returned to his “51st state” rhetoric about Canada while giving a rare 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.

His story was identical to the one he told in May , shortly after he first announced the estimated US$175-billion “Golden Dome” project. At that time, he said Canada would have to pay US$61 billion to join the new defence network unless it becomes the 51st U.S. state.

He said again in early Se

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