In a surprising turn of events, former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has rejected an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join a newly formed “Board of Peace.” The move comes after Carney, who currently serves as the United Nations special envoy for climate action and finance, took aim at the US president’s policies during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
During his address at the high-profile annual gathering, Carney criticised Trump’s trade wars and dismissal of the threat posed by climate change, stating that the US leader’s actions were “tragic” and “myopic.” The Canadian economist, who led the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, argued that Trump’s protectionist policies and scepticism towards environmental issues were detrimental to global prosperity and stability.
Evidently irked by Carney’s rebuke, the US president subsequently withdrew the invitation he had extended to the former central banker to join the newly established “Board of Peace,” a advisory body that Trump claims will work towards resolving international conflicts. A White House spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating that the president “will not tolerate such criticism from those he has graciously sought to involve in his efforts.”
Carney’s refusal to participate in Trump’s initiative is the latest chapter in the ongoing tensions between the two men. During his tenure at the Bank of England, Carney was a vocal advocate for action on climate change and frequently clashed with the Trump administration over its environmental deregulation and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
In a statement released by the UN, Carney said he was “honoured” by the invitation but ultimately decided to decline due to his existing commitments, including his role as the UN’s special envoy. “While I respect the president’s efforts to promote global stability, I believe my time and energy are best served by continuing my work on the urgent issue of climate change,” Carney said.
The high-profile spat between Carney and Trump underscores the deep ideological divisions that continue to shape the global political landscape. As the world grapples with a range of interconnected challenges, from trade tensions to the climate crisis, the ability of leaders to bridge these divides and find common ground will be crucial in the years ahead.
