The move followed sharp criticism of U.S. global influence by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned against powerful nations using economic integration and tariffs as geopolitical weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Canada, declaring that the country “lives because of the United States” before withdrawing an invitation for Ottawa to join his newly launched Board of Peace initiative.
The move followed sharp criticism of U.S. global influence by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned against powerful nations using economic integration and tariffs as geopolitical weapons.
In a Truth Social post directed at Carney, Trump formally announced the reversal, writing: "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."
Trump’s decision came just days after Carney’s office confirmed that the Canadian leader had been invited to serve on the board and intended to accept.
Speaking in Davos, Trump responded directly to Carney’s remarks, dismissing Canada’s posture on global trade and security while underscoring what he described as America’s decisive role in the country’s survival.
Trump retorted that Canada "lives because of the United States," and told listeners in Davos that Carney should be grateful for the United States’ previous largesse.
"Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements," he added, addressing Carney directly.
The withdrawal of Canada’s invitation came hours after Trump officially launched the Board of Peace, an initiative he said was initially designed to cement a ceasefire in Gaza. According to Trump, permanent members of the board are required to contribute $1 billion each to fund its operations.
"Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do," Trump said in Switzerland on Thursday. "And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations."
The board’s establishment was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
U.N. spokesperson Rolando Gomez said on Thursday that U.N. engagement with the board would be limited strictly to that framework.
Carney, meanwhile, received a rare standing ovation in Davos after urging nations to accept the end of a rules-based global order. He argued that Canada, which recently signed a trade deal with China, could demonstrate how “middle powers” might cooperate to avoid being victimized by American hegemony.
Current members of the Board of Peace include Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey. Several U.S. allies, including Britain, France and Italy, have indicated they will not join the initiative for now.