Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced on Thursday that Canada is ready to join U.S. President Donald Trump's project to develop a missile defense shield inspired by the Israeli "Iron Dome" system, despite current tensions between Ottawa and Washington.

Blair confirmed in his statements to the press that Canada is considered a "key partner" in the mutual defense of North America, through its membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its participation in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is responsible for the air security of the two countries.

The minister noted that "an integrated missile defense system for all of North America makes the most sense for everyone."

It is worth mentioning that U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to plan a missile defense system for the United States, similar to the "Iron Dome" system used by Israel to intercept thousands of missiles during its confrontations with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Under this executive order, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was tasked with presenting a plan within 60 days to create an "advanced missile defense shield" designed to intercept ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and advanced cruise missiles, including the development of space-based interceptors.

During his 2024 election campaign, Trump reiterated his pledge to establish an American version of the Israeli "Iron Dome" system if he wins the presidency. However, the high projected cost of the project has faced widespread criticism.

The Canadian Defence Minister made these statements at a time when relations between the two countries are tense due to President Trump’s threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, a threat that is currently pending. Trump has also intensified the discussion around his proposal to make Canada "the 51st U.S. state."

Despite these tensions, it appears that defense cooperation between the two countries remains intact, as Canada seeks to maintain its role in the joint defense system and enhance its missile capabilities in light of increasing global threats.