In a significant diplomatic escalation, former U.S. President Donald Trump has formally withdrawn Canada’s invitation to join his newly established Board of Peace. The decision was announced via Trump’s Truth Social platform in a direct address to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, marking the latest deterioration in relations between the North American neighbors.
The conflict stems from Prime Minister Carney’s recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned of a potential ‘rupture’ in the U.S.-led global order without explicitly naming Trump. The Canadian leader’s comments, which received a rare standing ovation, apparently provoked Trump’s ire, leading to the invitation’s revocation.
Financial considerations further complicated the situation. Ottawa had previously indicated it would refuse to pay the substantial $1 billion membership fee that Trump has mandated for permanent members of the board. This financial commitment was intended to fund the operations of the new international organization, which Trump envisions as an alternative conflict-resolution body to the United Nations.
The Board of Peace, conceived by Trump, grants him extensive decision-making authority as lifetime chairman. While initially perceived as focused on resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the proposed charter notably omits specific mention of Palestinian territories and appears designed to assume functions traditionally handled by the UN.
Despite Canada’s exclusion, approximately 35 nations have already committed to joining from the 60 invited countries. Participants include Argentina, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and several Central Asian nations. Notably absent are all other permanent UN Security Council members—China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom—who have thus far declined participation.
The diplomatic friction intensified through exchanged remarks between the two leaders. Following Carney’s Davos address, Trump retorted that Canada ‘lives because of the United States’ and should demonstrate gratitude for numerous ‘freebies.’ Carney responded defiantly during a speech in Quebec, asserting that ‘Canada thrives because we are Canadians,’ underscoring the deepening diplomatic rift.