President Donald Trump has pulled the plug on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s chance to join a high-profile international panel focused on rebuilding the war-torn Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, Trump announced via Truth Social that the invitation for Carney to join the “Board of Peace” has been withdrawn. The decision came on the same day Carney publicly countered Trump’s earlier remarks about Canada, made at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The White House has confirmed Trump’s role as the inaugural chairman of the board, with sweeping veto power over its membership.

Earlier in the week at the forum in Switzerland, Trump stated that Canada owes its existence to the United States, while also expressing frustration over perceived trade imbalances. Carney, speaking in Quebec City on Thursday, responded to these comments with a defense of Canadian independence. The timing of Trump’s announcement to revoke the invitation has raised eyebrows among international observers.

Trump and Carney Clash Over Criticism

The issue has sparked debate over whether personal or political tensions influenced the decision to exclude Carney from the Gaza-focused panel.

According to the New York Post, Trump’s Truth Social post addressed to Carney was direct: “Dear Prime Minister Carney, please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you.” It’s hard to miss the pointed tone here, as if Trump is signaling that dissent won’t be tolerated among those he handpicks for his initiatives.

Let’s not pretend this is just about protocol—Trump’s earlier jab at the World Economic Forum, claiming “Canada lives because of the United States,” set the stage for this fallout. Carney’s pushback, delivered with a firm “Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” was a clear rejection of that narrative. This isn’t diplomacy; it’s a public sparring match.

Board of Peace Raises Eyebrows Globally

The Board of Peace itself is a curious beast, with Trump expecting nations to shell out $1 billion for a permanent seat while offering temporary three-year terms at no cost. About 30 countries are slated to join, though heavyweights like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky have declined over concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inclusion.

The optics of paying for influence in a peace initiative are, at best, questionable. Look at the lineup from the inaugural ceremony in Davos on Thursday—nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates stood on stage.

Meanwhile, Canada’s absence now feels like a deliberate snub. Is this board about peace or power? Trump’s veto authority over membership means he’s the gatekeeper, yet when leaders like Carney speak out, they’re shown the door.

Trade Tensions Fuel the Fire

Adding fuel to this spat, Trump has grumbled about Canada getting “freebies” and not showing enough gratitude toward the United States. Meanwhile, Carney has struggled to negotiate a deal to lift Trump’s tariffs, a sticking point that likely isn’t helping relations.

This isn’t just about a board seat; it’s about deeper economic friction. Carney’s earlier remarks at Davos about a “rupture in the world order” suggest he’s looking beyond U.S. dominance for solutions.

Good for him for standing up, but did he expect Trump to just nod along? That’s not how this game is played. The White House staying mum on the reason for yanking Carney’s invitation leaves us to connect the dots between public statements and private grudges.

What’s Next for Gaza’s Reconstruction?

The Board of Peace, for all its controversy, is meant to focus on rebuilding Gaza—a region desperate for stability and resources. With nations like Argentina, Egypt, and Qatar on board, there’s potential for real impact if egos can be set aside.

But when membership seems tied to loyalty rather than merit, can we trust the mission? Trump’s vision for this panel may be ambitious, but excluding voices like Carney’s risks turning it into an echo chamber.

Peace isn’t built by silencing critics; it’s built by wrestling with tough conversations. Let’s hope this board prioritizes Gaza over grudges. If not, the mission could falter before it even begins.