US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his newly constituted Board of Peace, in the latest spat between the North American neighbours. Trump said on a social media post that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation regarding Canada’s joining.

 

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hit back at President Donald Trump’s inflammatory claim at the World Economic Forum that Canada lives because of the United States. Carney responded in a national address in Quebec City that Canada doesn’t live because of the United States, rather, it thrives because it is Canadian. Carney’s speech yesterday followed his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he won a standing ovation for his assessment of a rupture in the US-led, rules-based global order.

 

Meanwhile, European Union chief Antonio Costa said European leaders have serious doubts about the scope of the board, but were willing to work with the body in Gaza. The board, which gives Trump wide decision-making powers as chairman, is being billed by the US as a new international organisation for resolving conflicts.