President Trump has touted his "Board of Peace" for Gaza as the "Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place" — but the specifics of its mandate and prospective members are murky.
Why it matters: The reported list of Trump's invitees — including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko — and marching orders that could broaden its purview beyond Gaza has raised alarm among some U.S. allies.
Case in point: French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly rejected Trump's offer to join the board, with his office citing the extent of the body's charter in a statement to Politico.
- Asked about Macron's denial, Trump told reporters Monday that he'll put a "200% tariff" on French wines and champagne, "and he'll join."
- He said, "nobody wants" Macron because "he's going to be out of office very soon."
Catch up quick: The UN Security Council welcomed the establishment of the board in November. It's authorized until the end of 2027.
Friction point: However, while in Davos this week, Trump is expected to announce that he's expanding the mission of the Board of Peace for Gaza beyond the enclave, Axios' Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo report.
- Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee cautioned Sunday that the U.S. framework "would have a mandate wider than the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan."
- She stressed the UN's "unique mandate to maintain international peace and security," adding, "While it may be imperfect, the UN and the primacy of international law is more important now than ever."
A French official similarly told Axios that the charter "goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza" and "raises major issues, in particular regarding respect for the principles and the structure of the United Nations."
- The official said France does not intend to give the U.S. a "favorable response."
Who was invited to join Trump's Board of Peace?
Axios previously reported that Trump had invited 58 international leaders to join the board. The White House would not confirm a list of countries asked to participate when reached for comment on Tuesday.
- However, some nations and public officials have publicly said that they were invited. The administration is reportedly asking countries to pay $1 billion to secure their spot.
Per government confirmations and multiple reports, some of those countries include: India, Ireland, China, Hungary, Vietnam, Australia, Argentina, Jordan, Albania, Israel, the UAE and Canada.
- Trump confirmed Russia received an invitation, as well.
- "These are world leaders, and the answer is yes," Trump said when asked if he had invited Putin.
What they're saying: Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, wrote Monday that the "government will be guided solely by the interest and security of the Polish state. And we will not let anyone play us."
- He said that the accession to an international organization would require executive and parliamentary approval.
- Hungary's Viktor Orbán, on the other hand, was quick to accept the "honourable invitation."
How will Trump's Board of Peace work?
The fine print: The UN resolution that endorsed the plan to end the war in Gaza describes it as a "transitional administration with international legal personality that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza" until the Palestinian Authority has "satisfactorily completed its reform program."
- It authorized member states participating in the board to establish other entities, including implementing a transitional governance administration.
- According to a draft charter reviewed by multiple outlets, Trump would wield significant veto power over the board.
- The correspondence sent to world leaders inviting them to participate on the board offers an opportunity to engage in "an effort to solidify Peace in the Middle East" — but it invites them to "embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!"
Threat level: A senior U.S. official previously told Axios: "The Board of Peace is not going to be limited to Gaza. It's a Board of Peace around the world." The president recently told Reuters that the board would "start with Gaza and then do conflicts as they arise."
- That's stirred concerns among allies that the U.S. is constructing a rival to the UN Security Council, Axios previously reported. Reuters also cited several unnamed Western diplomats who feared the plan could undermine the UN.
- However, a spokesperson for the German government told reporters it did not share those concerns, per the Independent.
Go deeper: "Gaza is our show": U.S. pushes its plan over Netanyahu's objections
