United States President Donald Trump has withdrawn Canada's invitation to participate in his recently formed "Board of Peace," exacerbating the strain in relations between the two North American countries.
In a communication posted on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump announced the board's decision to revoke Canada's invitation, directly addressing Prime Minister Mark Carney. The announcement did not specify the rationale behind this decision, and Mr. Carney's office has not yet issued a comment.
Canada had previously indicated its general acceptance of the invitation, but had also made clear that it would not pay the $1 billion membership fee, which Trump stated is a requirement for permanent members. This fee is intended to finance the board, which Trump has characterized as a new global entity tasked with resolving international disputes.
The proposed charter for the Board of Peace grants Trump significant decision- making authority as its chairman, with the intention of him holding the position indefinitely. Although initially understood to focus on ending the conflict in Gaza and overseeing its reconstruction, the charter makes no mention of the Palestinian territory and appears designed to assume some responsibilities currently held by the United Nations.
The White House has reported that approximately 60 nations received invitations to join the board, with around 35 accepting thus far. Among the countries that have agreed to join are Argentina, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. However, none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, or the United Kingdom—have confirmed their participation.
European leaders have voiced concerns regarding the board's scope and its governance structure. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stated that the EU harbors "serious doubts" about its compatibility with the UN Charter, though he also noted the bloc's readiness to collaborate with the US on initiatives related to Gaza. Spain has officially confirmed its refusal of the invitation.
This withdrawal follows Prime Minister Carney's address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he cautioned against a "rupture" in the US-centric global order and encouraged middle powers to resist economic pressure from larger states. Subsequently, Trump criticized Canada, asserting that the nation significantly benefits from its relationship with the US and should express more gratitude.
During a statement made in Quebec on Thursday, Mr. Carney responded by emphasizing that Canada's achievements are founded on its distinct national identity, adding that the country "thrives because we are Canadians."
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!