Trump's 'Board of Peace' Faces European Resistance Amid UN Concerns

The majority of European Union member states have declined invitations to join US President Donald Trump's newly established 'Board of Peace,' designed to oversee Gaza's reconstruction, according to diplomatic sources. The lukewarm response highlights growing transatlantic tensions over multilateral governance and America's role in international affairs.Within the EU, only Hungary and Bulgaria have formally accepted membership, while other nations either rejected outright or indicated they are 'considering' participation. France explicitly declined, stating the board 'goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, particularly regarding UN principles and structure.'Trump unveiled the board's charter at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, describing it as 'one of the most consequential bodies ever created.' The initiative requires member nations to contribute $1 billion each for lifetime membership, though specific spending mechanisms remain unclear.International law experts suggest the board represents an attempt to circumvent established UN frameworks. Professor Angelos Syrigos of Panteion University noted that Trump 'needs a big win ahead of the November midterms,' positioning foreign policy achievements as domestic political capital.The board's composition spans diverse geopolitical actors, from Vietnam and Mongolia to Turkey and Belarus, while notably excluding Denmark following diplomatic tensions over Greenland. Russia received an invitation despite its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, raising questions about the board's commitment to international law.Political scientist Catherine Fieschi argues the initiative targets middle powers specifically. 'It's as though Trump were gathering very deliberately middle powers to defang the potential that these powers have of working independently,' she explained, suggesting the board aims to prevent autonomous coalition-building among smaller nations.This interpretation gained credence after Trump rescinded Canada's invitation following Prime Minister Mark Carney's Davos speech advocating for middle-power cooperation. Carney had called for 'different coalitions for different issues' to counter 'great power rivalry.'China rejected participation, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reaffirming Beijing's 'commitment to safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core.' The response aligns with China's broader strategy of positioning itself as a defender of multilateralism against US unilateralism.UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a pointed statement Monday, emphasizing that 'the UN Security Council stands alone in its Charter-mandated authority' on peace and security matters. His comments, while calling for Security Council reform, appeared to criticize Trump's parallel institution.The board's governance structure concentrates power in Trump's hands as chairman, with authority to overrule members and appoint executives. Financial transparency remains optional, with the charter stating the board 'may authorize the establishment of accounts as necessary.'Originally mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 to oversee Gaza reconstruction until Palestinian Authority reforms, Trump's version expands the scope to 'areas affected or threatened by conflict' with no defined endpoint beyond the chairman's discretion.The European resistance reflects broader concerns about American attempts to reshape international governance outside established frameworks, potentially signaling a new phase in transatlantic relations under Trump's second presidency.