Key US allies France and Canada give a lukewarm response to Trump’s invite to pay $1 billion for a permanent seat on his new ‘Board of Peace’.
WASHINGTON: Key US allies reacted coolly on Monday to President Donald Trump’s invitation to pay $1 billion for a permanent seat on his proposed “Board of Peace”.
Analysts have likened the new international conflict-resolution body to a pay-to-play version of the United Nations Security Council.
The White House has asked various world leaders to join the board, which Trump would chair, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
A charter for the board states that member countries would serve three-year terms unless they “contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year.”
The initial reaction from allies France and Canada was tepid.
“At this stage, France cannot accept,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told lawmakers, noting the charter’s scope exceeded UN-endorsed plans for post-war Gaza.
He stated it was “incompatible with France’s international commitments and in particular its membership in the United Nations.”
A Canadian government source said Ottawa will not pay to be on the board and has not received a payment request, despite Carney indicating he would accept an invitation to join.
Professor Paul Williams of George Washington University said the offer showed Trump is “trying to turn it into a pay-to-play alternative to the UN Security Council but where Trump alone exercises veto power.”
The charter describes the board as an organisation seeking to “promote stability” and “secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
It indirectly criticises the UN, saying the new board should have “the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed.”
A UN spokesperson pushed back, stating “there is one universal, multilateral organization to deal with peace and security issues, and that is the United Nations.”
Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group said at least 60 countries were reportedly invited, with many likely viewing it as a power grab.
“Actively buying permanent seats in an exclusive club sends a very worrying signal,” he told AFP.
The board’s charter grants Trump the power to remove member states, subject to a veto by two-thirds of members.
Think tank analyst Ian Lesser said he would be surprised if many countries sign up while focused on preserving existing multilateral institutions.
The White House structure includes a main board, a Palestinian committee for Gaza, and a secondary “executive board.”
Trump has named Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British prime minister Tony Blair as board members.
Israel has objected to the proposed “Gaza executive board” lineup, which includes Turkish and Qatari diplomats.
