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Trump Withdraws Canada’s Invitation to Board of Peace
MLN -23 JAN 2026U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn Canada’s invitation to join his newly established Board of Peace, escalating tensions between Washington and Ottawa amid growing disagreements over the board’s structure and purpose.
Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform late Thursday, addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney directly.
“Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining,” Trump wrote.
The president did not provide a specific reason for the withdrawal. Carney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Canadian prime minister had indicated last week that he would accept the invitation in principle.
Canadian officials had also made clear in recent days that Ottawa would not pay the proposed $1 billion (£740 million) membership fee that Trump has said permanent members would be required to contribute to fund the board. Canada had signaled it would participate without paying the fee.
The Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, is being promoted by the United States as a new international body aimed at resolving conflicts. While it was initially presented as a mechanism to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and post-war reconstruction, the proposed charter does not explicitly reference Gaza and appears to expand the board’s mandate beyond that conflict
Trump would serve as chairman for life under the current structure, and the board grants him broad decision-making authority, according to documents released by the White House.
European leaders have raised concerns about the board’s scope and governance. European Council President Antonio Costa said Friday that the European Union has serious reservations but remains open to cooperation in Gaza-related efforts.
“We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter,” Costa said following an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels.
He added that the EU was, ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration.
Spain has also declined to participate. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told the reporters after the summit that his country had rejected the invitation.
According to the White House, about 60 nations have been invited to join the board, with roughly 35 having accepted so far. Countries that have agreed to participate include Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
None of the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom, have committed to joining. The UK has cited concerns about the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces invaded Ukraine in 2022. France has said the board’s charter is “incompatible” with its international obligations, particularly its UN membership.
Trump’s decision to withdraw Canada’s invitation followed remarks by Carney earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned of a “rupture” in the U.S. led global order and called on “middle powers” to cooperate in the face of economic pressure from larger nations.
A day later, Trump responded during his own remarks in Davos, saying Canada benefits disproportionately from its relationship with the United States.
“Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump said. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
Carney responded Thursday during a speech in Quebec.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States,” he said. “Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
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