In a sharp diplomatic rebuke, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly withdrew an invitation for Canada to join his newly launched “Board of Peace” initiative on Thursday, hours after its official unveiling. The move came in direct response to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
A Public Disinvitation on Social Media
Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform, directly addressing Prime Minister Carney. “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,” the President wrote.
Neither Carney’s office nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment on Thursday evening. Last week, Carney’s office had confirmed he received an invitation to serve on the board and planned to accept.
The Davos Speech That Triggered the Fallout
The about-face followed Carney’s address in Davos, where he received a rare standing ovation. In his speech, Carney decried powerful nations using “economic integration as weapons and tariffs as leverage.” He urged nations to accept the end of a rules-based global order and suggested that Canada, having recently signed a trade deal with China, could show how “middle powers” might act together to avoid being victimized by American hegemony.
Trump retorted sharply while also speaking in Davos, stating that Canada “lives because of the United States,” and that Carney should be grateful for past U.S. largesse. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he added.
The Board’s Launch and $1 Billion Price Tag
The withdrawal of Canada’s invitation came just hours after Trump officially launched the Board of Peace. Conceived as part of a Gaza ceasefire plan, the board’s establishment was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution. A UN spokesperson clarified that UN engagement would only be in that specific context.
Trump outlined that permanent member nations must help fund the initiative with a payment of $1 billion each. “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do,” Trump said in Switzerland. “And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.”
Mixed Global Reception
The board’s initial member nations include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan, and Turkey. However, several key U.S. allies have indicated they will not join at this time. Britain, France, and Italy have all declined to participate for now, signaling a cautious reception to Trump’s latest diplomatic venture.
The episode underscores the volatile nature of Trump’s foreign policy and his administration’s sensitivity to public criticism from allies, setting a contentious stage for the new board’s operations.
