Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Friday withdrew Canada’s invitation to join his newly launched “Board of Peace,” days after sharp remarks exchanged between the two leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
In a brief and pointed post on Truth Social, Trump announced that the invitation to Canada had been rescinded, once again describing the body as the “most prestigious board” ever assembled. Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney directly, Trump wrote that the Board of Peace was formally withdrawing its offer for Canada to join what he called an unprecedented global leadership platform.
The move comes a day after Trump signed the charter formally launching the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the WEF, pitching it as a major initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts and restoring stability in conflict-hit regions, including Gaza. Calling the moment “very exciting” and “long in the making,” Trump claimed the initiative would help bring peace across the world and asserted that global threats were “calming down.”
Speaking alongside leaders from founding member countries, Trump said his administration was working to settle multiple conflicts and claimed significant progress had been made toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He reiterated that the Board of Peace could become the most influential international body of its kind, even suggesting it could eventually take on roles traditionally associated with the United Nations.
The Board of Peace was initially proposed by Trump last September as part of a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. While originally focused on overseeing post-conflict governance and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, US officials have since indicated that the body’s mandate has expanded to include mediation in global conflicts more broadly. According to the administration, around 35 countries have committed to joining the board, while invitations were sent to nearly 60 nations.
Trump’s decision to withdraw Canada’s invitation follows his public criticism of Prime Minister Carney during the WEF summit. On Wednesday, Trump accused Canada of being insufficiently grateful to the United States, claiming it benefits extensively from American security and economic support. He also said that Washington’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system would extend protection to Canada, underscoring what he described as the US role in safeguarding its northern neighbour.
The remarks were directed at Carney after the Canadian Prime Minister, in his Davos address, warned of a deep rupture in the global order and criticised the use of tariffs and economic coercion as political tools. Without naming the US directly, Carney opposed the weaponisation of trade, finance and supply chains, urging renewed multilateral cooperation to protect sovereignty and stability.
Carney cautioned that the world was no longer witnessing a gradual transition in global power but a fundamental break from the rules-based international system, replaced by intensifying great power rivalry. His comments appeared to clash with Trump’s vision for the Board of Peace, setting the stage for the diplomatic fallout that culminated in Friday’s withdrawal of Canada’s invitation.
