Donald Trump rescinds Mark Carney’s Board of Peace invite

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Just like that, U.S. President Donald Trump has shifted his attention from sabre-rattling over Greenland to Canada instead.

The verbal sword that was swung toward Prime Minister Mark Carney was sharp.

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“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,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform without giving a reason for his decision.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

War of words sparked in Switzerland

Ouch. That’s going to leave a lasting mark as the peace board was initially envisioned to include a small group of world leaders overseeing Gaza’s rebuild as part of Trump’s ceasefire plan before becoming something far more ambitious.

If you insult the big dog in front of the world, it’s not a surprise that the smaller dog may get end up with a bite taken out of its hide.
And that’s just what happened.

People were bracing for such a missive from Trump toward Carney since the president left the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He is still angered by Carney’s stinging but much-lauded speech in front of delegates there suggesting that if middle powers are “not at the table, they are on the menu” in the new world order.

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Carney, fresh of a trip to China and Qatar to discuss trade, may have received a standing ovation for his speech, but it upset Trump, who warned that “Canada lives because of the United States” thanks to its support and military backing.

“I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful,” Trump said. “But they should be grateful to us. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

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Another escalation in trade feud

After Carney rejected that notion in his first address upon being back in Canadian soil, many wondered what Trump would say. His shot at not inviting Carney to the Board of Peace feels like the beginning of what could escalate things from a tariff war to an all-out cold war.

It’s hard to know what may happen next, but Canadians understand this is not good.

Carney might be wise to step off the podium of being the one to take on Trump and instead fly din to Washington tomorrow and straighten this all out.

Canada as we know it may just be on the line.

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