Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Kicks Off Today Without UK, France, Canada

 

US President Donald Trump today convenes the inaugural meeting of his newly established “Board of Peace,” an ambitious international body initially created to oversee post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza but now positioned with broader global aspirations.

The gathering, hosted at the renamed Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace in Washington, brings together representatives from more than two dozen countries—many of them authoritarian-leaning allies or partners in the Middle East—following a ceasefire in Gaza that took effect in late 2025 under a US-brokered 20-point plan endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Trump, who serves as the board's chairman indefinitely (with veto power and life membership per its charter), is expected to announce pledges exceeding $5 billion from member states for Gaza's humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. Additional commitments include personnel for an International Stabilization Force and training for a new Palestinian police force to support Israel's partial withdrawal and stabilize the territory.

However, the event is overshadowed by significant absences from longstanding US allies. Major European powers—including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain—have declined invitations to join as members, citing concerns over the board's vague mandate, centralized control under Trump, opaque funding mechanisms, and potential to undermine the United Nations' role in global conflict resolution.

Canada's invitation was reportedly rescinded after critical remarks from its leadership, while Japan has opted to send only a Gaza-focused envoy without committing to full membership. The European Union is attending as an observer at best, and figures like Ursula von der Leyen have passed on participation.

Critics, including UN diplomats and analysts, argue the board represents a shift away from multilateral institutions toward a Trump-centric model that could reshape international peacekeeping. Supporters highlight its potential as a "proof of concept" for rapid action on Gaza's rebuilding, where vast destruction persists despite the ceasefire.

The board's membership leans heavily toward non-Western and authoritarian regimes, with invitations extended to countries like Russia (still under consideration) and others in Asia and the Middle East. No Palestinian representatives are included in the core structure, raising further questions about inclusivity.

As the meeting unfolds, Trump has described the Board of Peace as having “unlimited potential” to become “the most consequential international body in history.” Whether today's announcements translate into tangible progress in Gaza—or signal deeper fractures in transatlantic alliances—remains to be seen.