Ask Onix
Trump launches peace initiative amid global skepticism
U.S. President Donald Trump introduced his new Board of Peace at the Davos Economic Forum this week, promising to end decades of conflict and reshape global diplomacy. The initiative, however, has drawn sharp criticism from allies and rivals alike, who question its structure and Trump's lifetime leadership role.
Board structure raises concerns
The Board, born from U.S.-led efforts to end the Gaza war, now aims to address conflicts worldwide. According to leaked draft documents, Trump will serve as its chairman for life, with sweeping powers to invite or exclude member states, dissolve subsidiary bodies, and appoint his successor. Permanent membership comes at a cost: $1 billion.
Nineteen countries attended the Davos inauguration, including Argentina, Azerbaijan, and several Gulf kingdoms. Others, like the UK and Sweden, have declined, citing concerns over the Board's mandate and Russia's potential involvement. Moscow, meanwhile, described itself as a "consulting partner" rather than a full member.
"This is about a treaty that raises much broader issues, and we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something that is talking about peace," said UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Mixed reactions from world leaders
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on social media that nations would not be "played," while Hungary's Viktor Orbán praised the initiative as a path to peace. France's Emmanuel Macron faced a veiled threat from Trump, who suggested imposing 200% tariffs on French wines and champagnes if Paris refused to join.
Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob openly criticized the Board, calling it a "dangerous interference with the broader international order." Trump dismissed such concerns, stating the Board would operate "in conjunction with the United Nations" but later hinted it might replace the UN entirely, calling the organization ineffective.
Gaza and Ukraine: Early tests for the Board
The Board's first challenge is advancing the Gaza ceasefire, though its charter makes no explicit mention of the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes Palestinian statehood, sits alongside Arab leaders demanding an end to Israeli occupation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to engage with Russia at the same table.
Three subsidiary bodies-an Executive Board, a Gaza Executive Board, and a National Committee for Gaza-include U.S. officials, billionaires, former politicians, and Arab intelligence chiefs. Critics argue the structure sidelines Palestinian voices while prioritizing American influence.
UN's role in question
UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently lamented the shift from "the power of law to the law of power." While some, like UN veteran Martin Griffiths, welcome Trump's activism, they caution against excluding global stakeholders. "We've learned the value of inclusion," Griffiths said. "This isn't just about Mr. Trump's friends."
Trump's claims of ending eight wars have also faced scrutiny. Guterres noted that many were merely ceasefires, some of which have already collapsed. The temporary Rwanda-DRC truce, Cambodia-Thailand border tensions, and India-Pakistan disputes all resurfaced after initial agreements.
Future of global diplomacy
Trump's initiative coincides with discussions to replace Guterres, whose term ends this year. The president, who once boasted he could end the Ukraine war in a day, now acknowledges peacemaking as a "protracted and perilous process." At Davos, he declared the Middle East's conflicts reduced to "little fires" and promised a Ukraine settlement "very soon."
"This is for the world," Trump declared, positioning himself as a global peacemaker.
Former UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown suggested the Board might inadvertently revive debate on UN reform, long stalled by geopolitical divisions. "This could be a call to action," he said.
