Trump’s takeover bid. Credit: noamgalai, Shutterstock
Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Europe after privately telling Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, that failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize has changed his approach to peace, while once again demanding US control of Greenland.
The comments, confirmed by Støre on January 19, come as Trump increases pressure on European allies over the Arctic territory, raising concerns within NATO and prompting urgent diplomatic talks across the EU.
Trump links Nobel Peace Prize to Greenland takeover ambitions
Trump wrote to Norway’s prime minister that because his country had “decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize,” he no longer felt obliged to think “purely of peace,” although peace would remain “predominant.” In the same message, Trump added that he was now free to focus on what was “good and proper for the United States of America” and explicitly called for “complete and total control of Greenland.”
Norway does not award the Nobel Peace Prize. The honour is decided by an independent Norwegian Nobel Committee – a distinction Støre has repeatedly explained to Trump, according to VG, a Norwegian news outlet.
Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland centres on security claims. He has argued that Denmark cannot adequately protect the island from Russia or China and has questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the territory.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains responsibility for defence and foreign policy. Denmark and its allies have firmly rejected Trump’s assertions.
Speaking publicly, Støre said, “It is new that one of 32 NATO countries is claiming a country in the alliance. This is unacceptable.”
Norway has reiterated its full support for Denmark and for NATO’s existing framework for Arctic security and stability.
Trump Tariff threats trigger European response
The diplomatic row has been compounded by Trump’s threat to impose punitive tariffs from February 1 on European countries opposing his Greenland plans, including Norway and Finland.
The move prompted António Costa, president of the European Council, to call an emergency meeting of European Union leaders this week, amid fears of a wider trade and security fallout.
Nobel Peace Prize controversy
Trump has long argued that he “deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize and has repeatedly claimed to have ended at least eight conflicts.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who later gifted her medal to Trump. The Nobel Committee subsequently clarified that while the physical medal may be transferred, the award itself is not.
This ongoing dispute highlights growing geopolitical uncertainty between the US and Europe. Escalating tensions over Greenland could affect NATO cooperation, EU–US trade relations and Arctic security – all of which have broader implications for economic stability and diplomatic relations across the continent.
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