In a surprising move, former US President Donald Trump has rescinded his invitation for Canada to join his newly established “Board of Peace,” further straining the relationship between the North American neighbours. The decision comes after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order earlier this week.
According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to Canada, though the former president did not provide a specific reason for the reversal. Carney’s office has yet to respond to the announcement.
The Board of Peace, which grants Trump sweeping decision-making powers as its chairman, is being touted by the US as a new international organisation for conflict resolution. However, its proposed charter does not mention the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territories, leading some to speculate that it is designed to supplant the functions of the United Nations.
While around 35 nations, including Argentina, Belarus, and several Middle Eastern countries, have already agreed to join the board, none of the permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, and the UK – have committed to participation so far. Canada had initially indicated that it would accept Trump’s invitation on principle, but later said it would not pay the $1 billion (£740 million) membership fee.
The rift between Trump and Carney appears to have deepened in recent days. After Carney delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos that received a rare standing ovation, Trump criticised Canada, saying the country “lives because of the United States” and should be “grateful.” Carney later fired back, stating that “Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
As the world watches this clash of personalities, the future of Trump’s “Board of Peace” and its potential impact on global diplomacy remain uncertain. With the UN struggling to address pressing international conflicts, some observers wonder whether the former president’s bid to become a “peacemaker-in-chief” could sideline the struggling global organisation.
