US President Donald Trump has pulled the plug on an invitation to Canada to join his proposed "Board of Peace," a global group aimed at resolving conflicts. The move comes after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted the offer in principle, but expressed concerns over the board's structure and funding.
Originally conceived as a temporary entity to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza, Trump's Board of Peace was touted as one of the most consequential bodies ever created in history. However, the costs associated with joining – a staggering $1 billion per country – proved too steep for many nations.
In a scathing response to Carney's initial acceptance, Trump penned a letter saying the invitation had been withdrawn. "Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump wrote.
The Canadian prime minister had expressed concerns over the board's structure and financing in a statement earlier this week. His officials had not yet fully reviewed the details, Carney said, adding that Canada wants "maximum impact" from any international organization it joins.
Trump's decision has been seen as a reflection of the increasingly strained relationship between Washington and Ottawa. The US president's comments on Canada's reliance on his country for survival have sparked outrage in Ottawa, with Carney firing back, saying Canada thrives because of its own unique identity.
Despite the withdrawal, Trump remains confident that his Board of Peace will be a force to be reckoned with. "Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do," he said Thursday. The board's establishment was endorsed by a UN security council resolution as part of Trump's Gaza peace plan, and engagement with the board will only occur in that context.
The move has been met with skepticism from many US allies, including Britain, France, and Italy, who have indicated they will not join the board for now. The future of Trump's Board of Peace remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – Canada will not be a part of it.
Originally conceived as a temporary entity to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza, Trump's Board of Peace was touted as one of the most consequential bodies ever created in history. However, the costs associated with joining – a staggering $1 billion per country – proved too steep for many nations.
In a scathing response to Carney's initial acceptance, Trump penned a letter saying the invitation had been withdrawn. "Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump wrote.
The Canadian prime minister had expressed concerns over the board's structure and financing in a statement earlier this week. His officials had not yet fully reviewed the details, Carney said, adding that Canada wants "maximum impact" from any international organization it joins.
Trump's decision has been seen as a reflection of the increasingly strained relationship between Washington and Ottawa. The US president's comments on Canada's reliance on his country for survival have sparked outrage in Ottawa, with Carney firing back, saying Canada thrives because of its own unique identity.
Despite the withdrawal, Trump remains confident that his Board of Peace will be a force to be reckoned with. "Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do," he said Thursday. The board's establishment was endorsed by a UN security council resolution as part of Trump's Gaza peace plan, and engagement with the board will only occur in that context.
The move has been met with skepticism from many US allies, including Britain, France, and Italy, who have indicated they will not join the board for now. The future of Trump's Board of Peace remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – Canada will not be a part of it.