Trump links Greenland pursuit to Nobel Peace Prize snub in extraordinary letter to Norway’s
For most people, a Nobel Peace Prize is a quiet honor—something you accept with humility and move on. For Donald Trump, it has become part of a much louder global conversation.
In a striking message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, U.S. President Donald Trump openly tied his long-standing frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize to renewed demands for American control over Greenland. The remarks, confirmed by multiple reports, have added fresh tension to already fragile relations between the U.S., Europe, and NATO.
So what exactly did Trump say—and why does it matter?
Trump, the Nobel Prize, and a Shift in Tone
Trump told Prime Minister Støre that because Norway “decided not to give” him the Nobel Peace Prize, he no longer feels obligated to think only about peace—though he stressed it would still remain a priority.
This framing matters. While Norway hosts the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the award is decided by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government. Støre made that clear in his response, explaining that political leaders in Oslo do not control the outcome.
Still, Trump rejected that explanation, later insisting publicly that Norway “totally controls” the prize—despite official denials.
Featured Snippet Takeaway
Does Norway decide the Nobel Peace Prize?
No. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament, not by the Norwegian government itself.
Greenland Back in the Spotlight—Again
In the same message, Trump doubled down on one of his most controversial foreign policy positions: that the United States needs “Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has long been strategically important due to its Arctic location, early-warning missile systems, and growing relevance in global resource competition. Trump argued Denmark lacks the ability to protect Greenland from powers like Russia and China and questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the island.
When asked whether the U.S. might use force to seize Greenland, Trump responded with a blunt: “No comment.”
NATO, Tariffs, and Rising Tensions
The timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Denmark is a NATO member, and the alliance is built on the principle that members defend one another. Danish leaders have warned that any U.S. military action against Greenland would effectively end NATO as we know it.
European allies have reacted cautiously but firmly:
- Several NATO countries sent small, symbolic troop deployments to Greenland.
- Denmark received strong backing from European partners.
- Trump responded by threatening tariffs—10% starting in February, rising to 25% by June—on goods from eight NATO allies if they oppose his Greenland proposal.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was clear: Greenland’s future “belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone,” calling tariff pressure on allies “wrong.”
“I’ve Done More for NATO Than Anyone”
Trump also used the exchange to repeat a familiar claim—that he has done more for NATO than any leader since its founding in 1949.
“I have done more for NATO than any other person,” he wrote, adding that NATO now “should do something for the United States.”
This argument plays directly into his broader foreign policy worldview: alliances must deliver tangible benefits to America, or they should be reconsidered.
The Nobel Claim: Eight Wars Ended?
Trump continues to argue he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for ending eight wars since returning to office. The White House lists conflicts involving:
- Israel–Hamas
- Israel–Iran
- India–Pakistan
- Rwanda–DRC
- Armenia–Azerbaijan
- Serbia–Kosovo
- Egypt–Ethiopia
- Thailand–Cambodia
However, independent reviews—including BBC Verify—note that several of these conflicts were brief flare-ups, some involved no active fighting, and others resumed despite agreements.
Featured Snippet Takeaway
How many wars has Trump really ended?
Independent fact-checkers say several conflicts cited by Trump were short-lived, unresolved, or did not involve active warfare at the time peace was claimed.
The Nobel Twist: Machado and Venezuela
The Nobel Peace Prize ultimately went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. In a symbolic moment, she later met Trump at the White House and gave him her medal—though the Nobel Foundation clarified that the award cannot be transferred, even symbolically.
The situation became more complex when U.S. forces later removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and Trump backed Maduro’s vice president rather than Machado as interim leader.
Why This Story Matters
This isn’t just about a prize or a territory. It’s about how personal grievances, global security, and alliance politics collide at the highest level of power.
Trump’s remarks have raised serious questions about:
- The future unity of NATO
- U.S.–Europe relations
- Arctic security and great-power competition
- How personal recognition influences foreign policy decisions
As Arctic geopolitics heat up—literally and strategically—Greenland is no longer a remote island on the map. It’s a flashpoint in a much larger global struggle.
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