Trump Rescinds Invitation to Carney After Canada Demands Gaza Aid Access
U.S. President Donald Trump has officially withdrawn an invitation for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join a new global panel, the decision follows Carney’s demand for guaranteed humanitarian access to Gaza. This diplomatic rupture highlights growing friction between the neighboring administrations regarding foreign policy and international governance.
New Global Initiative Challenges Traditional Diplomacy
The dispute centers on the creation of the "Board of Peace," a controversial body established by the American administration to oversee reconstruction efforts in the Middle East. While the stated goal involves supervising governance in Gaza, leaked documents suggest the board aims to resolve global conflicts outside the United Nations Security Council framework. Mark Carney, who became Canada's Prime Minister in March 2025, initially accepted the invitation in principle, he viewed it as a potential avenue to address the humanitarian crisis. However, his participation was contingent on specific terms that clashed with the board's operating structure.
Social Media Announcement Confirms Split Over Policy
President Trump announced the removal of Carney from the proposed board on January 23 via his Truth Social platform, the move came shortly after Carney delivered a speech in Davos that defended Canadian sovereignty. The Prime Minister had publicly stated that Canada would not pay a reported $1 billion membership fee for a permanent seat on the council, a cost that other members like Jared Kushner and Tony Blair have not publicly disputed. Carney emphasized that Canada's involvement depended entirely on securing "unimpeded aid flows" to civilians in the conflict zone.
Sovereignty and Aid Principles Drive Decision
The Canadian leader’s insistence on humanitarian preconditions proved to be a breaking point for the initiative's leadership. Carney remarked that Canada thrives on its own terms rather than relying solely on the United States, a statement that observers described as a stinging rebuke of current U.S. foreign policy. This firm stance on aid access serves as a core component of Carney’s international strategy.
Diplomatic Rift Threatens North American Relations
The public nature of this rejection signals a significant cooling of relations between Ottawa and Washington. Political analysts warn that the "Board of Peace" risks losing international legitimacy without the participation of key G7 allies like Canada, specifically those with strong economic reputations. The exclusion also casts doubt on the board's ability to execute a viable peace plan without broad coalition support.
Canadian officials indicate they will continue to advocate for relief efforts through established multilateral channels. The international community now watches closely to see if other invited nations will reject the board's financial and political conditions.
