"Consider this notification that the Peace Council is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's participation. It would have been a council of the most esteemed leaders ever assembled," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 22/1, addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The Peace Council is a body initiated by Trump to end global conflicts. The US president had extended invitations to approximately 60 countries, including Canada, and 35 countries have currently accepted to join the Peace Council.
Prime Minister Carney had previously stated that, in principle, he agreed to participate in the Peace Council, but emphasized that officials in his administration had not yet reviewed all the details concerning its structure, operational methods, funding sources, and other issues.
The invitation to participate reportedly called for nations to contribute 1 billion USD to become permanent members of the Peace Council. Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne stated on 20/1 that Ottawa had no plans to spend 1 billion USD for a permanent seat.
"Many more details need to be discussed, but Canada certainly will not spend money if we join the Peace Council," Champagne said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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US President Donald Trump (right) and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House in 10/2025. *Photo: AFP*
The decision to withdraw the invitation followed recent exchanges between the US president and the Canadian prime minister. Carney had visited Beijing last week and signed a trade agreement with China. On 20/1, he garnered international attention by stating at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland that "the US-led global governance system is fracturing" and nations must adapt to a new reality.
According to him, Canada had benefited from a rules-based international order, where US leadership helped ensure global interests such as freedom of navigation, a stable financial system, collective security, and dispute resolution mechanisms. However, a new reality has emerged.
He implied that countries like Canada should not try to appease major powers, suggesting that hoping "submission will buy peace" is no longer viable.
The US president suggested that the speech showed the Canadian prime minister "appeared rather ungrateful". "Canada gets a lot of free stuff from us and they should be grateful. Canada exists because of the US. Remember that the next time you speak, Mark," Trump stated.
In a nationwide address on 22/1, Carney affirmed that Canada and the US have built a significant partnership in economic, security, and diverse cultural exchange activities, "but Canada does not exist because of the US".
"Canada thrives because we are Canadians. We are masters in our own home. This is our country, our future, and the choice lies with Canadians," Prime Minister Carney said.
By Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters, CBC News)
