Trump withdraws Canada's invite to Board of Peace

January 23, 2026

President Trump has rescinded Canada's invitation to join his newly created Board of Peace, an international organization designed to resolve conflicts with Trump serving as lifetime chairman. The withdrawal came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the current global order at Davos and refused to pay the $1 billion membership fee, though Canada had agreed to join in principle. While approximately 35 of 60 invited nations have signed up, major powers including the UK, France, China, and Russia have declined or expressed concerns about the board's scope and compatibility with UN commitments.

Who is affected

Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney (invitation withdrawn)
Approximately 35 countries that have joined including Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia
Countries that have declined or not committed: UK, France, China, Russia, and Spain
European Union member states
Palestinians in Gaza (intended beneficiaries of reconstruction efforts)
The United Nations (whose functions the board appears designed to supplant)

What action is being taken

Trump is withdrawing Canada's invitation to the Board of Peace
Approximately 35 nations are signing up to join the board
The UK is expressing concerns about Russian President Putin's inclusion
The EU is raising doubts about the charter's scope, governance, and UN compatibility
Spain is declining participation
Canada is refusing to pay the $1 billion membership fee

Why it matters

This development represents a significant fracture in US-Canada relations and raises questions about the viability of Trump's Board of Peace as an alternative to existing international organizations. The rejection by major powers including permanent UN Security Council members undermines the board's legitimacy and global reach. The dispute highlights tensions between traditional multilateral approaches embodied by the UN and Trump's vision for a new conflict-resolution framework where he holds lifetime chairmanship. The spat with Canada, America's closest neighbor and ally, demonstrates how Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy can strain even the most longstanding partnerships.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC