WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has rescinded an invitation to Prime Minister Mark Carney to join his new “Board of Peace” — marking the latest upheaval in the relationship between Canada and the United States as a critical trade agreement is set to be reviewed.
In a post on social media Thursday, Trump did not give details about why he was withdrawing Carney’s invitation but called it “the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”
Trump’s post comes after Carney gave a widely-applauded speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he warned that the old world order is dead and urged middle powers to band together as larger ones try to pressure them through economic coercion.
During Trump’s speech at the WEF summit on Wednesday, the president said he’d heard Carney’s Tuesday speech. Trump said “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us” and should be thankful.
“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.”
It’s unclear what led to Trump’s Thursday night actions but members of his team had been critical of Carney’s comments at the international gathering.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the speech “political noise” and warned Ottawa’s recent deal with China could upend negotiations of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA, which are set to take place this year.
Carney also pushed back on Trump’s comments in Quebec City earlier Thursday, saying “Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security and in rich cultural exchange.”
“But Canada doesn’t live because of the United States,” Carney said. “Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Earlier Thursday, Trump rolled out his new “Board of Peace” at the WEF summit but many world leaders, including Canada and European countries, were not in attendance.
The peace board was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza situation as part of Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan. As details emerged, it morphed into something far more ambitious.
The board became even more controversial as it was confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin had been invited to take part, despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Carney had initially expressed an openness to join but later was more cautious, saying there were still many unanswered questions about its structure.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.
— With files from The Associated Press
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
