Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump on Thursday night rescinded an invitation for Canada to join the newly formed Gaza Board of Peace after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney left the World Economic Forum without signing the group’s charter.
The president did not specify a reason for withdrawing the invitation, which had been extended last week, but the move followed comments from Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne indicating that Canada would not contribute $1 billion to join the board.
“Dear Prime Minister Carney: 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The decision came hours after Trump formally launched the board during a speech and signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The initiative aims to secure a lasting peace agreement for Gaza.
According to the White House, 59 countries have signed on to the Board of Peace so far. France, Norway and Sweden have declined invitations to join, while the United Kingdom and Russia have not yet signed but have not formally rejected participation.
President Trump has described the board as a global effort rather than a U.S.-led initiative, saying it is intended to work alongside existing international institutions as talks on Gaza continue.
“Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do,” President Trump said in Switzerland on Thursday about the new board. “And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.”
The president also blasted Carney during his Davos speech. “I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful. But they should be grateful to us,” the president said at one point. “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”