China has issued a stark warning to the U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system risks triggering a new global arms race and turning space into a theatre of war.
Beijing’s concerns follow a joint statement issued earlier this month with Russia, branding the programme “deeply destabilising in nature” and warning it could escalate tensions by weaponising outer space.
“The Golden Dome would transform space into an environment for placing weapons and an arena for armed confrontation,” the statement read.
A Multi-Layered Missile Shield
The Golden Dome programme, championed by Trump as a cornerstone of U.S. defence policy, is designed to intercept nuclear missiles at every phase of their trajectory, whether before launch, mid-flight, or as they descend towards their target.
Although Trump has yet to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the initiative, he said he intends to “at the right time”.
In comments made yesterday, the former president defended the proposed shield as a necessary countermeasure against increasingly sophisticated missile threats from Russia and China.
Eye-Watering Costs and Congressional Hurdles
According to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, the space-based components alone of the Golden Dome could cost a staggering $542 billion (£400 billion) over the next two decades.
Trump has requested an initial $25 billion to kickstart the system, embedding it within a broader tax break bill currently making its way through Congress.
The Pentagon’s Position
For years, the Pentagon has voiced concerns over China and Russia’s rapidly evolving missile technologies. Hypersonic glide vehicles and low-earth orbit attack systems have fundamentally shifted the strategic landscape, prompting calls in Washington for more robust defences.
While the Pentagon has acknowledged the need for updated missile defence systems, the sheer scale and ambition of Golden Dome has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers.
Global Repercussions
Military analysts warn that a unilateral push to dominate space through missile defence infrastructure could provoke retaliatory weapons development from rival states, undermining existing arms control agreements.
As tensions continue to rise between the U.S., China, and Russia, the prospect of space becoming militarised appears increasingly likely.
