US President Donald Trump has rescinded an invitation for Canada to join his newly formed “Board of Peace.”
In a post on Truth Social addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump announced that the board was withdrawing its offer for Canada’s membership. The move followed Carney’s recent remarks warning of a potential “rupture” in the US-led global order.
Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Carney cautioned that the rules-based international system traditionally anchored by the United States was weakening. He urged middle powers to diversify their trade relationships and bolster economic resilience.
Trump responded on Wednesday by criticising the Canadian leader, saying Canada should be “grateful” to the United States. Tensions between the two countries have intensified in recent months after Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and later suspended trade talks, citing an anti-tariff advertisement aired in the US.
Trump did not explain his decision to revoke the invitation in Thursday evening’s post. Carney had indicated last week that he was willing, in principle, to accept the offer. However, Canadian officials later signalled that Ottawa would not pay the proposed $1 billion (£740 million) membership fee that Trump said permanent members would be required to contribute.
The withdrawal followed a Davos speech by Carney that reportedly irritated Trump and earned the Canadian prime minister a rare standing ovation. In the address, Carney called on “middle powers” to unite against economic coercion by larger nations, without directly naming the United States.
A day later, Trump told attendees in Davos that Canada benefits from numerous “freebies” from the US and should show appreciation. “Canada lives because of the United States,” he said.
Carney responded on Thursday during a speech in Quebec, rejecting the claim. “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States,” he said. “Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
Trump’s Board of Peace was initially expected to focus on ending the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and coordinating post-war reconstruction efforts. According to the White House, around 60 countries have been invited to join, with about 35 already accepting. Current participants include Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
