U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his controversial drive to assert greater influence over Greenland to his failure to secure the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, saying he no longer feels bound to focus “purely of peace” in foreign policy.
In a letter to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre — confirmed received by the Norwegian government — Trump suggested that not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize has reshaped his diplomatic approach and bolstered his determination to pursue what he describes as “what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
“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, although it will always be predominant…” Trump wrote, according to the message seen by international news agencies.
Greenland, NATO, and Transatlantic Tensions
Trump’s letter reignites tensions with European allies over the future of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. He argued that Greenland is essential to global security and questioned Denmark’s ability to defend it from rival powers such as Russia and China.
He also invoked NATO obligations, claiming his contributions to the alliance justify greater U.S. leverage in Arctic affairs — a stance that has drawn sharp pushback from both European leaders and NATO partners.
Norway’s Response
Prime Minister Støre acknowledged receiving Trump’s message but emphasised that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government. Norway, along with Denmark and other European nations, has firmly rejected notions of ceding control of Greenland.
Global Reaction
Europe’s reaction has been critical, with officials warning that linking territorial ambitions to perceived personal slights could undermine diplomatic norms. In response to the broader dispute, the European Union is reportedly considering trade and diplomatic countermeasures as negotiations continue.
As the fallout from the letter continues to unfold, Trump is expected to face questions from global leaders at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, where the Greenland issue remains a key point of contention.
Credit:Reuters/CNN
