US President Trump Proposes 'Board of Peace'; Global Reactions Range from Skepticism to Outright Rejection
US President Donald Trump's latest diplomatic initiative, the Board of Peace,
is garnering mixed reactions from leaders and analysts worldwide. The proposed board, which the president claims will end decades of suffering,
has been criticized as a potential rival to the United Nations (UN). Some leaders have outright refused to participate, citing various reasons, including constitutional objections.
Background and Context
The Board of Peace
was initially conceived by President Trump as a governance framework for the war-torn Gaza Strip. However, its draft charter suggests that the Trump administration seeks broader international powers. The president has hinted that the board could supersede the UN Security Council, arguing that the UN has never lived up to its potential.
Key Developments
The proposed board has drawn skepticism from various quarters. Leaders of Germany and Italy, Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni respectively, have voiced their inability to join the board in its current form. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call during which both leaders stressed the need to defend the authority of the UN and strengthen cooperation across the Global South.
Trump's proposal has also been met with criticism for its funding mechanisms. Members would be required to pay regular fees of at least $1 billion, with funds controlled directly by the chair. Bloomberg reported that Trump could retain this chairmanship for life.
Implications and Reactions
The proposal has caused global unease, with critics arguing that it could sideline a struggling UN. Brazilian President Lula stated that Trump is attempting to create a new UN and be its sole owner. In contrast, Trump has claimed that working with the Board of Peace would be a good thing
for the UN.
Several governments have reacted cautiously to the initiative. Only Hungary, whose leader is a close Trump ally, unequivocally accepted the invitation to join the board.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly barred President Herzog from appearing at the Board of Peace unveiling. Netanyahu's objection to the inclusion of Turkey and Qatar in the Gaza board has added to the tensions.
Current Status
As of now, the Board of Peace
remains a proposal. It is yet to be seen how it will be implemented and what impact it will have on existing multilateral institutions like the UN. The global community continues to watch closely, with many hoping that any new initiative will genuinely contribute to global peace and not undermine existing structures.