Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world
Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Mark Carney to join the “Board of Peace”, in an apparent snub just days after the Canadian prime minister warned that the rules-based international order was over in a speech that won acclaim at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In a post on Truth Social late on Thursday, Trump wrote: “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”
The US president earlier on Thursday had unveiled the body at Davos, saying it “coupled with the United Nations, can be something very unique for the world”.
Originally conceived to oversee Gaza, the board will have a broader mandate that could allow it to rival the UN and mediate in other global conflicts, according to the charter sent to prospective members.
In a speech at Davos on Tuesday, Carney did not mention Trump but said that the rules-based international order was undergoing “a rupture, not a transition”, and urged the world’s “middle powers” to unite in response.
After delivering his speech Carney did not directly say whether he would join Trump’s newly founded body, having previously said he had agreed to in principle.
“Our view is that this is to be welcomed and this is a positive vehicle. Our view is that we need to work on the actual structure of the vehicle,” Carney said in remarks after his speech. “It needs to be designed in that way for the immediate needs [in Gaza].
“We think there are aspects of the governance and decision-making process that could be improved but will work with others, work with the United States because we can to improve the horrific situation there.”
More than 20 countries have signed up to the board, including Israel, Morocco, Argentina and Belarus. Bulgaria and Hungary are the only EU countries to have joined.
