Trump announced the withdrawal of offer to Canada on Truth Social hours after Carney’s remarks, marking a fresh escalation in tensions between the traditionally allied neighbours.
BY PC Bureau
January 23, 2025: President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew Canada’s invitation to join his proposed “Board of Peace,” escalating a sharp public exchange with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after the latter rejected Trump’s claim that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
Announcing the move on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the invitation for Canada to join the self-styled, billion-dollar conflict-resolution body had been revoked.
“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,” Trump wrote.
The withdrawal came hours after Carney delivered a nationally televised address from Quebec City in which he pushed back against Trump’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said, while also acknowledging the “remarkable partnership” between the two countries.
A Canadian government source told AFP that Ottawa would not pay to join the board, although Carney had earlier indicated he would be open to participating.
HOLY CRAP 🇨🇦 President Trump withdraws Canada’s invitation to Board of Peace 🤯
This is a MASSIVE hit to Canada on the global scale. Good job, Mark 😒 pic.twitter.com/9W6s9WFEGy
— Melissa 🇨🇦 (@MelissaLMRogers) January 23, 2026
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The exchange reflects growing strains between the long-standing allies. Tensions sharpened after Carney’s speech in Davos, where he warned of a “rupture” in the US-led, rules-based global order—remarks widely seen as a critique of Trump’s approach to international affairs, though he did not name the US president directly.
Carney argued that middle powers like Canada, which prospered under an era of American global dominance, must recognize that the geopolitical landscape has shifted and that “compliance” would no longer shield them from major-power pressure.
Trump responded a day later during his own Davos appearance, saying, “I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
Addressing Canadians on Thursday, Carney said the country must serve as an example at a time of global “democratic decline.”
“Canada can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can show that another way is possible—that the arc of history isn’t destined to bend toward authoritarianism and exclusion,” he said.
Despite the rhetoric, Canada remains heavily dependent on the United States, which buys more than three-quarters of its exports. Sectors such as automobiles, aluminum and steel have been affected by Trump’s global tariffs, though the impact has been moderated by Washington’s continued adherence to the North American free trade agreement.
Negotiations to revise that pact are expected later this year. Trump has repeatedly claimed the US does not need Canadian products and has also floated the idea of annexing Canada, recently sharing a social media image depicting Canada under the American flag.
Carney said Canada was under no illusions about the state of global affairs. “The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined—and, in some cases, broken,” he said, adding that Canada must increase defence spending to “defend our sovereignty and secure our borders.”
