US President Donald Trump has withdrawn Canada’s invitation to join his newly created “Board of Peace,” escalating tensions between the two North American allies.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the board was rescinding its invitation to Canada, addressing the message directly to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump did not give a reason for the decision, and Carney’s office did not immediately respond.
Canada had previously signalled it would accept the invitation in principle, but had indicated it would not pay the $1bn (£740m) membership fee Trump says permanent members must contribute. The fee is intended to help fund the board, which Trump has described as a new international body for resolving global conflicts.
The Board of Peace grants Trump broad decision-making powers as chairman and would see him hold the position for life under its proposed charter. While initially thought to focus on ending the war in Gaza and overseeing reconstruction, the charter does not mention the Palestinian territory and appears designed to replace some functions of the United Nations.
The White House says around 60 countries have been invited to join the board, with roughly 35 agreeing so far. Those include Argentina, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. None of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council China, France, Russia or the UK have committed to joining.
European leaders have raised concerns about the board’s scope and governance. European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU had “serious doubts” about its compatibility with the UN Charter, though he added the bloc was willing to cooperate with the US on Gaza-related initiatives. Spain has confirmed it declined the invitation altogether.
Trump’s decision comes after Carney delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos that warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order and urged middle powers to resist economic coercion by larger nations. Trump later criticised Canada, saying it benefits heavily from the US and should be more grateful.
Speaking in Quebec on Thursday, Carney responded by saying Canada’s success was rooted in its own national identity, adding that the country “thrives because we are Canadians.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
