Trump withdraws the offer extended to Canada to join the Board of Peace
US President Donald Trump has revoked Canada’s invitation to be part of his newly formed Peace Board, marking the latest flare-up in tensions between the two North American allies.
“Please be advised that this letter confirms that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s participation,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney made headlines this week by warning of a “breakdown” in the US-led global order. Ottawa had also indicated that it saw no benefit in joining Trump’s new body.
The board, which gives Trump significant decision-making power as chairman, is being pitched as a new international organization to resolve global conflicts.
Trump did not explain in his Thursday evening post why he had decided to rescind the offer to Canada.
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The prime minister had indicated last week that he would accept Trump’s invitation in principle.
However, Ottawa had signaled in recent days that it would not pay the $1 billion (£740 million) membership fee, which Trump has said permanent members would be asked to contribute to help fund the board.
His Board of Peace was initially understood to be aimed at helping to end the two-year-old war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and overseeing reconstruction efforts.
However, its proposed charter makes no mention of the Palestinian territories and appears designed to supplant the work of the UN. Trump would serve as chairman for life.
According to the White House, approximately 60 countries have been invited to join the board, and about 35 have already signed up.
Countries that have so far agreed to participate include Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
But none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, and the UK—have yet pledged to participate.
This week, Carney angered Trump with a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, for which he received a standing ovation.
The prime minister appealed to other “middle powers” to band together to resist economic pressure from “great powers,” although he did not name the US president.
A day later, Trump told those gathered at the Swiss Alpine resort that Canada receives many “freebies” from the US and should be “grateful.”
“Canada lives off the United States,” Trump said. “Mark, remember that the next time you make your statement.”
On Thursday, Carney fired back at Trump when he delivered another speech on his home turf. Speaking in Quebec, he said, “Canada doesn’t survive because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
