US President’s Panel: Trump’s “Peace Council” – Competition for the UN? | EUROtoday

As of: January 22, 2026 9:16 a.m

In the identify of peace, of all issues, US President Trump is popping the worldwide order on its head. Today he needs to discovered his new “Peace Council” in Davos – and is thereby difficult the United Nations.

“We just founded the Peace Council. It’s going to be great. I wish the United Nations could do more. I wish we didn’t need a Peace Council,” stated US President Trump at a press convention in Washington a couple of days in the past.

The thought for the “Peace Council” comes from Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. In part two, the physique ought to take motion and monitor the ceasefire and reconstruction within the devastated Palestinian territory. However, the draft peace council constitution circulating within the media doesn’t point out Gaza as soon as.

Trump has extra plans for the council, says Maya Ungar, UN analyst on the impartial assume tank Crisis Group. “I think Trump wants to use this advice to represent American interests on the international stage,” Ungar stated. “He has made it clear that he believes existing bodies such as the UN Security Council are ineffective and, more important to him, that they do not serve American interests in the way he believes his political agenda needs to.”

Joining prices $1 billion

The chairman of the “Peace Council” is claimed to be Trump himself. He is in cost – for all times. He invited 60 international locations to participate. They can buy everlasting membership by paying one billion US {dollars}. The heads of presidency now should weigh up: ought to they participate or not?

“They must decide whether to join an unfair and unequal organization or face retaliation from President Trump if they do not,” stated UN analyst Ungar.

When French President Emmanuel Macron declined the invitation to the Peace Council, Trump threatened: He might persuade him to take part by imposing a 200 p.c tariff on wine and champagne. But Macron would not have to affix both. He will quickly not be in workplace anyway.

Germany refuses to affix

The German federal authorities additionally rejected Trump’s invitation. Countries equivalent to Argentina, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Turkey and Hungary have agreed.

The United Nations factors out that Trump’s “Peace Council” solely acquired a mandate from the UN Security Council for its work in Gaza. For a restricted time. In addition, worldwide regulation applies to problems with peace and safety, explains Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly.

“That’s why the United Nations Organization exists, where it is not without reason that all states, regardless of their size, economic or military weight, have a seat and a vote.” This is life insurance coverage for all international locations on the planet, says Baerbock.

Trump’s initiative a chance for the UN?

Nevertheless, the United Nations is criticized. They are thought of gradual, bureaucratic and sometimes blocked. In distinction, Trump’s Peace Council, with him as the one chief, might conclude agreements extra rapidly with conflicting events.

However, UN analyst Ungar factors out that Trump’s offers haven’t been significantly sustainable to this point. “The wars he says he ended often had ceasefire agreements. But the war on the ground actually continued – and actors like the United Nations were asked to intervene and actually implement the signed ceasefires.”

The UN professional believes that the dialogue that Trump is triggering together with his peace council will also be a chance. It will increase the strain on the United Nations to develop into extra related and capable of act once more – and to implement reforms extra rapidly.