News
Trump removes Canada from peace board after clash with Mark Carney
Trump pulls Canada from his peace board after a very public fallout
What started as a bold attempt to reshape global diplomacy has now turned into another flashpoint in the strained relationship between Washington and Ottawa.
US President Donald Trump has formally withdrawn Canada’s invitation to join his newly announced Board of Peace, following an escalating war of words with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The decision was made public on Thursday via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he shared a letter informing Carney that Canada was no longer welcome on what he described as “the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled.”
What is the Board of Peace, and why it matters
The Board of Peace is Trump’s latest diplomatic project. It was initially formed to oversee governance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza as part of a United Nations-backed peace agreement between Hamas and Israel.
From there, Trump expanded its vision dramatically, inviting dozens of world leaders to participate and positioning the board as a central platform for resolving future global conflicts.
Not everyone was convinced. Several countries declined the invitation, arguing that the board’s sweeping mandate risked overlapping with, and potentially undermining, the role of the United Nations.
Canada had initially been among those invited, until relations between Trump and Carney took a sharp turn.
A feud fuelled by tariffs and rhetoric
Trump and Carney have clashed repeatedly in recent months, particularly over trade tariffs and Trump’s long-running criticism of Canada’s economic relationship with the United States.
Trump has gone as far as suggesting that Canada would be better off as the “51st state” of the US, a remark that has drawn strong reactions north of the border.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, Trump claimed that Canada benefits excessively from its ties to the US, saying the country “lives because of the United States.”
His comments did not go unanswered.
Carney pushes back on American dominance
Carney responded firmly, rejecting the idea that Canada survives at America’s discretion.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” he said.
Earlier at Davos, Carney also warned that the global order built on American dominance is entering a period of disruption, describing US hegemony as being “in the midst of a rupture.”
That response appears to have sealed Canada’s fate on Trump’s peace board.
Global reactions and the bigger picture
While Trump’s supporters have praised the move as decisive leadership, critics see it as another example of diplomacy shaped by personal grievances rather than policy.
On social media, reactions have ranged from disbelief to dark humour, with many questioning whether the Board of Peace can function effectively while excluding close allies over political disagreements.
For South Africans watching from afar, the episode is a reminder of how fragile global alliances have become. At a time when international cooperation is under strain, even long-standing partnerships like that between the US and Canada are proving vulnerable to public spats and personality-driven politics.
Whether Trump’s Board of Peace gains real influence remains to be seen. What is clear is that Canada will not be taking a seat at the table anytime soon.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: CTV News
