U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his renewed push to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, declaring that he no longer thinks “purely of peace” as tensions over the Arctic island threaten to spark a fresh trade confrontation with Europe.
In a brief telephone interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump declined to rule out the use of force to seize Greenland, responding, “No comment.” He added that he would “100 percent” follow through on plans to impose tariffs on European nations if no agreement over Greenland is reached.
Trump has intensified pressure on Denmark — a fellow NATO member — to relinquish sovereignty over Greenland, prompting the European Union to consider retaliatory measures.
The escalating dispute risks destabilising the NATO alliance, which has long underpinned Western security and is already strained by the war in Ukraine and Trump’s repeated criticism of allies he says fail to spend enough on defence.
The renewed threat has rattled European industries and sent shockwaves through financial markets, reviving fears of a return to the trade-war volatility seen in 2025. That confrontation only eased after both sides reached tariff agreements midway through the year.
Further inflaming tensions, Trump revealed in a text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that his frustration over being denied the Nobel Peace Prize had influenced his outlook.
“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace,” Trump wrote on Sunday. “Although peace will always be predominant, I can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
Norway’s government released the message on Monday under its freedom of information laws. Støre had initially contacted Trump on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, urging de-escalation and proposing a phone call. Trump replied less than 30 minutes later.
Trump has long expressed resentment toward the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize not to him but to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — a decision that reportedly deepened his sense of grievance.
As diplomatic tensions mount, European officials are now preparing for potential countermeasures should Washington proceed with tariffs, raising concerns that the standoff could spiral into a broader economic and geopolitical crisis.
About the Author
