U.S. President Donald Trump, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the newly established Board of Peace, has officially withdrawn the invitation for Canada to join the international body. The revocation follows a week of escalating tensions between the North American neighbors and a public exchange of words between President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump Says He’s Pulled Canada’s Invitation To Join His ‘Board Of Peace’https://t.co/Ts2Ul0h3Dx pic.twitter.com/jCAHhDmh6T
— Forbes (@Forbes) January 23, 2026
The Board of Peace, billed by the White House as a successor to traditional international mediation bodies, is designed to resolve global conflicts, starting with the reconstruction of Gaza. While the U.S. reports that 35 nations—including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Hungary—have already signed the charter, the organization has faced scrutiny over its $1 billion membership fee and a governance structure that installs President Trump as Chairman for life.
The Rift with Ottawa
The withdrawal of Canada’s invitation comes days after Prime Minister Carney delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, urging “middle powers” to unite against “economic coercion” by greater powers. Though Carney did not mention the U.S. by name, the remarks prompted a swift response from President Trump, who stated that Canada gets many “freebies” and should be “grateful.”
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday evening, President Trump addressed the Prime Minister directly: “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining.”
Economic and Governance Disputes
Beyond the personal friction between leaders, the two nations were at an impasse regarding the Board’s financial requirements. While Canada had expressed a willingness to join on principle, Ottawa indicated it would not pay the mandatory $1 billion (£740m) fee required for permanent members.
In a defiant response delivered from Quebec, Prime Minister Carney dismissed the President’s assertion that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States,” Carney stated. “Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
International Outlook
The Board of Peace continues to face mixed reactions globally. While EU chief Antonio Costa expressed “serious doubts” regarding the Board’s compatibility with the UN Charter, he indicated that European leaders are still willing to coordinate with the body specifically regarding a transitional administration in Gaza. Conversely, Spain has officially declined its invitation, and other permanent members of the UN Security Council—including the UK, France, China, and Russia—have yet to commit.
The Board of Peace Secretariat maintains that the organization remains on track to supplant traditional functions of the UN to provide a more streamlined, “power-based” approach to global stability.
