Nuuk, Jan 20 (AP): US President Donald Trump has linked his assertive position on Greenland to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of Peace,” in a text message released Monday.
Trump’s message comes amid escalating tensions with Washington’s closest allies over his repeated threats to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark. On Saturday, Trump announced a 10 per cent import tax starting February on goods from eight nations that have sided with Denmark and Greenland, including Norway.
The targeted countries issued firm rebukes, while emphasizing dialogue. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the bloc had “no interest to pick a fight” but would “hold our ground.” The White House has not ruled out taking control of Greenland by force, though Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed calm discussions and ruled out military action.
Tensions in Greenland have also sparked local protests. Thousands marched over the weekend opposing any US takeover. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said tariffs would not sway their position: “We will not be pressured.” Minister Naaja Nathanielsen noted strong international support against coercion and warned that ceding Greenland could set a dangerous precedent.
In his Sunday message to Støre, Trump wrote: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace… The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.” White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed the message’s authenticity and defended Trump’s position as safeguarding Greenlanders from Arctic threats.
Støre clarified Norway’s position: “Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter.” He also noted that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government.
Trump has publicly coveted the prize, which went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last year. Trump said he “doesn’t care about the Nobel prize” but stressed that “what I care about is saving lives.”
Trump’s tariff threats appear tied to the recent deployment of symbolic numbers of European troops to Greenland. While the troop movements were small, the president framed them as provocative, using tariffs as a bargaining chip with Denmark. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance for alliance security, while the EU reiterated its readiness to defend against coercion, announcing a summit for Thursday.
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