US President Donald Trump has formally rescinded Canada’s invitation to join his newly created Board of Peace, escalating tensions between the North American neighbors.
“Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining,” Trump posted on Truth Social, addressing Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently warned of a potential “rupture” in the US-led global order.
Canada had initially indicated it would participate on principle but would not pay the $1 billion membership fee requested by Trump for permanent members. Carney’s office has yet to respond to the withdrawal announcement.
European Union officials have also voiced concerns about the scope and governance of the board. European Council President Antonio Costa said leaders remain cautious about certain elements of the board’s charter but expressed willingness to cooperate with it in Gaza.
The Board of Peace, chaired by Trump with broad decision-making authority, is being promoted by the US as a new international mechanism for conflict resolution. While the board was initially linked to efforts to end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and assist in reconstruction, its charter does not specifically mention the Palestinian territory and appears to overlap with functions of the United Nations. Trump would hold the chairmanship for life.
About 60 countries have been invited to participate, with roughly 35 confirming membership so far, including Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. However, none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, or the UK—have committed to joining.
The UK raised concerns over the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while France described the board’s current charter as “incompatible” with its international obligations, particularly its UN commitments.
Despite these reservations, Costa emphasized that the EU is willing to collaborate with the US and the Board of Peace in Gaza as a transitional administration. Following the EU summit, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that Spain had declined the invitation to participate.
Trump’s decision to withdraw Canada’s invitation came after Carney drew applause at the World Economic Forum in Davos by calling on “middle powers” to unite against economic pressures from larger countries—a statement widely seen as critical of the US, though he did not mention Trump by name.
Trump responded in Davos, asserting that Canada receives “many freebies” from the US and should be grateful. On Thursday, Carney fired back on Canadian soil, stating, “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
