Trump withdraws Canada’s invite to join Board of Peace

Jude Sheerin,Washingtonand

Helen Sullivan

Reuters Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a news conference in Quebec City, Quebec, on 22 January 2026Reuters

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invite for Canada to join his newly constituted ‘Board of Peace’, in the latest spat between the North American neighbours.

“Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining,” Trump said on Truth Social in a post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who made headlines this week when he warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order.

Canada had indicated that while it would not pay to be on the board, it would join.

Meanwhile, EU chief Antonio Costa said European leaders have serious doubts about the scope of the board, but were willing to work with the body in Gaza.

The board, which gives Trump wide decision-making powers as chairman, is being billed by the US as a new international organisation for resolving conflicts.

Trump did not give a reason in Thursday evening’s post as to why he had decided to revoke Canada’s offer.

Carney’s office did not immediately respond. The prime minster had indicated last week he would accept Trump’s invite on principle.

But Ottawa had indicated in recent days that it would not pay the $1bn (£740m) membership fee which Trump has said permanent members will be asked to pay to help fund the board.

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ was originally thought to be aimed at helping end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and oversee reconstruction.

BBC looks into who is and isn’t on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

But its proposed charter does not mention the Palestinian territory and appears to be designed to supplant functions of the UN. Trump would be chairman for life.

Some 60 nations have been invited to join the board and about 35 have already signed up, according to the White House.

Those who have agreed to join so far include Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

But none of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, and the UK – have committed to participation so far.

The UK has expressed concerns about the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces are fighting in Ukraine after invading in 2022. France said the charter as it currently stood was “incompatible” with its international commitments, especially its UN membership.

European Council president Antonio Costa said European leaders have doubts about the scope of the board, but were ready to work with the US and the newly founded body in Gaza.

Speaking on Friday after an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Costa said, “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.”

But he said 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”.

After the EU leaders’ summit, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters that his country had “declined” the invitation to participate in the body.

Watch: Board of Peace, Zelensky and Musk – What happened before Trump left Davos?

Trump’s withdrawal of Canada’s invitation came after Carney appeared to irk Trump with a speech that won a rare standing ovation this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The prime minister urged other “middle powers” to band together in the face of economic coercion by “greater powers”, although he did not mention the US president by name.

A day later Trump told the gathering in the Swiss Alpine resort that Canada gets many “freebies” from the US and it “should be grateful”.

“Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump said. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

On Thursday, Carney swiped back at Trump as he delivered another speech back on home turf.

Speaking in Quebec, he said: “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”

A thin, grey banner promoting the US Politics Unspun newsletter. On the right, there is an image of the Capitol Building against a background of vertical red, grey and blue stripes. The banner reads: "The newsletter that cuts through the noise.”

Follow the twists and turns of Trump’s second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher’s weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

Local councillor Jo Bird (right) with residents and business owners in New Ferry

Why the Local Democracy Reporting Service is more important than ever

At the Liverpool ECHO, three reporters cover four of the six local authority areas across Merseyside, holding leaders to account and making a difference to communities Local councillor Jo Bird (right) with residents and business owners in New Ferry(Image: LDRS) Local Democracy Reporters (LDRs) are highlighting their work holding power to account in communities in

Flights across Europe face disruption after false bomb threats.. (Photo by Caroline Brehman / AFP) (AFP)

Several flights across Europe disrupted after receiving hoax bomb threats

BERLIN (AP) — Several flights across Europe received alleged bomb threats on Tuesday that ultimately turned out to be hoaxes but prompted searches, diversions and, in one case, an escort by the Italian Air Force until landing, officials said. Flights across Europe face disruption after false bomb threats.. (Photo by Caroline Brehman / AFP) (AFP)

Man Sends Letters Containing White Powder To US Officials Ahead Of Midterms

Man Sends Letters Containing White Powder To US Officials Ahead Of Midterms

Robin Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications. (Representational Image) Oklahoma City: Federal authorities have charged an Oklahoma man with sending hundreds of letters containing nonhazardous white powder to public officials ahead of the 2024 and 2026 elections. The powders turned out to be yeast or flour, though not all letters

Iranians wave flags and hold placards during a gathering in front of a large anti-US billboard depicting US President Donald Trump behind prison bars.

Iran slams US response to negotiations, demands America ‘fully and explicitly’ address its 7 outlandish conditions

Iran slammed America’s response to its latest peace proposal despite making the same seven outlandish demands President Trump rejected last month. “America’s response to Iran’s rights and demands was not convincing, and they must fully and explicitly address Iran’s seven conditions and act upon them,” Iranian Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei wrote on X. Iranians wave

Trump Says US Will Stop $4 Billion Annual Aid To Israel From Year End

Trump Says US Will Stop $4 Billion Annual Aid To Israel From Year End

Trump said he made such a deal with benjamin Netanyahu. NDTV file photo Washington: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he made a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that Washington would no longer be providing military aid to Israel after the end of this year. Speaking to Fox News’ Fox and

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

How Will Trump’s Power Change If Midterms Go Against Him? Not Much

Two years into the United States President Donald Trump’ second White House stint, he is now facing midterm elections and the possibility of Republicans losing their majority in Congress, raising questions about how much that could constrain the President’s agenda. However, data suggests that a change in congressional control may have a limited impact, at

Pirelli UK partners Burton Albion, local college for Tyre Safety Month campaign

Pirelli UK partners Burton Albion, local college for Tyre Safety Month campaign

(Photos: Pirelli) Pirelli UK has partnered with Burton Albion Football Club and Burton & South Derbyshire College to support TyreSafe’s annual Tyre Safety Month, targeting both current motorists and the next generation of automotive technicians. The campaign highlights TyreSafe’s 2026 core message, ‘ACT Before You REact’—an initiative encouraging drivers to inspect Air pressure,

Iran has executed 36 men over the widespread anti-government protests in January that triggered a massive crackdown. (via REUTERS/Representative Image)

Iran executes two youngsters over January protests; rights groups allege torture, unfair trial

Iran on Tuesday hanged two young men on charges related to nationwide protests in January, as rights groups accused authorities of subjecting them to torture and an unfair trial. Iran has executed 36 men over the widespread anti-government protests in January that triggered a massive crackdown. (via REUTERS/Representative Image) Amirhossein Maleki, 20, and Amirhossein Ebrahimi,

Stanislav Kondrashov on Media Pressure and the Changing Dynamics of International News Narratives

Stanislav Kondrashov on Media Pressure and the Changing Dynamics of International News Narratives

Media pressure influences how international events are reported, interpreted, and remembered. It emerges from the interaction between editorial deadlines, audience expectations, commercial priorities, competition for attention, and the increasing speed of digital communication. These forces can shape which stories receive extensive coverage, how headlines are written, and which aspects of complex developments become familiar to

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Pakistan’s Economy Improves On Paper, But Risks Persist Beneath The Surface

Pakistan’s soaring stock market, record foreign reserves and improving credit ratings are signaling an economy on the mend. Beneath the surface, the recovery remains far less convincing. High energy costs and the ongoing US-Iran war have pushed up inflation, while renewed militancy in Pakistan’s border provinces is adding to risks for investors. Last week, the

President Donald Trump speaks in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP)

Trump Surprises Republicans With Election Eve Speech About Reflecting Pool

WASHINGTON—It was a picture-perfect setting for the closing argument of a contentious campaign season. But when President Trump stepped up to a lectern in front of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool on Monday afternoon, he had another matter on his mind: rusty pipes. President Donald Trump speaks in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The injured passenger was airlifted to Lukla aboard a Prabhu Air helicopter for initial treatment, police said. (Everest Today)

Indian tourist killed, three injured as two helicopters collide in Nepal’s Mount Everest region

An Indian tourist was killed and three others were injured after two helicopters collided while landing in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district on Tuesday morning. The injured passenger was airlifted to Lukla aboard a Prabhu Air helicopter for initial treatment, police said. (Everest Today) The deceased was identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, an Indian national travelling aboard

Supporters at Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford's campaign rally. (REUTERS)

2026 US midterm elections: What is at stake for key players

Americans vote on Tuesday in midterm elections that will decide control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. But the results will have wider implications. For President Donald Trump, the vote is a referendum on his second term. For both parties, and for the contenders hoping to succeed him, it will shape the race

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x