Trump links Greenland stance to Nobel Peace Prize snub

NUUK, Greenland — U.S. President Donald Trump has tied his hardening position on Greenland to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a message released Monday that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace.”

The text, confirmed as authentic by the White House, has intensified a growing standoff between Washington and close European allies over Trump’s renewed threats to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a strategic region in the Arctic.

In the message, 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.” He added: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

The exchange came as Trump announced a 10% import tax, set to take effect in February, on goods from eight countries that have publicly rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, including Norway. The White House has not ruled out using force to secure control of the island, raising alarm across Europe.

Asked whether the United States could invade Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Monday, “You can’t leave anything out until the president himself has decided to leave anything out.”

European leaders moved quickly to urge restraint. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the issue should be resolved “through calm discussion,” adding that he did not believe military action would occur.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had “no interest to pick a fight” but would “hold our ground.” European Council President António Costa later said EU leaders were ready “to defend ourselves against any form of coercion,” announcing an emergency summit scheduled for Thursday evening.

In Greenland, thousands of residents marched over the weekend in protest of any attempt to take over the island. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post that tariff threats would not alter Greenland’s position.

Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business, minerals, energy, justice and equality, told The Associated Press that the swift response from allies showed the issue extends beyond the island itself. “I think a lot of countries are afraid that if they let Greenland go, what would be next?” she said.

The Norwegian government released Trump’s message in response to an earlier note sent by Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in which they expressed opposition to the tariffs, called for de-escalation, and proposed a three-way telephone conversation.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” Støre said. He also clarified that “the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose five members are appointed by parliament, operates independently from the government.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed the suggestion that Trump’s actions were motivated by the Nobel decision, calling the claim “a complete canard” during a brief exchange with reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He said he was unaware of the letter at the time.

Trump has previously expressed interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded last year to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The committee has said the prize cannot be transferred or shared after Trump reportedly accepted Machado’s medal during a recent meeting.

European officials said recent troop deployments to Greenland by several countries were symbolic and aimed at assessing Arctic security, partly in response to concerns raised by Washington about potential interference by Russia and China.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said European NATO members are considering a more permanent military presence in the region. “We’re doing what’s called a reconnaissance tour in order to identify what kind of needs there are when it comes to infrastructure and exercises,” he said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he discussed the strategic importance of the Arctic for “collective security” in meetings Monday with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland.

As diplomatic efforts continue, European leaders and Greenlandic officials remain firm that the island is not for sale, while Washington signals it will keep pressing its strategic and security demands in the rapidly changing Arctic region.