Trump pulls Canada’s invite to ‘Board of Peace’ after Davos clash with Mark Carney
U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his “Board of Peace,” a new multinational body he launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos and framed as central to efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and broader conflict resolution.
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“Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post directed at Mark Carney following Carney’s Davos address.
Neither Carney’s office nor the White House immediately responded to Reuters requests for comment.
Carney received a rare standing ovation in Davos after urging countries to confront the end of a rules-based global order and warning against powerful nations using economic integration as a weapon. He said Canada could help show how “middle powers” act in concert to avoid being victimized by hegemony.
Trump, speaking in Davos, retorted that Canada “lives because of the United States” and told Carney to remember America’s “previous largesse.” “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he added.
Carney later rejected that claim in a national address in Quebec City, saying, “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” while acknowledging what he called a “remarkable partnership” between the two countries. He argued Canada should serve as a model in an era of “democratic decline,” adding: “Canada can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can show that another way is possible.”
The withdrawal of Canada’s invitation came hours after Trump formally launched the Board of Peace, which he initially said was meant to help cement a Gaza ceasefire. He said permanent members must contribute $1 billion each to fund the body.
“Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do,” Trump said in Switzerland, adding, “And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.”
The board’s establishment was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and UN spokesperson Rolando Gomez said UN engagement with the board would only be in that context.
Member nations include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey. Other U.S. allies, such as Britain, France and Italy, have indicated they will not join for now. World leaders attended a signing ceremony for the new body in Davos.
Europe signaled caution. European Council President Antonio Costa said EU leaders have “serious doubts” about the Board of Peace’s scope, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter, but are ready to work with the U.S. and the new body “on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza” if it serves as a transitional administration limited to that mission.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain had declined an invitation to participate. In Dublin, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said Ireland could not join if the board’s remit extends beyond delivering peace in Gaza. “We cannot join a structure that essentially will try to mimic or undermine the UN Security Council,” she said. Tánaiste Simon Harris said he could not see a scenario in which Ireland participates.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
