Donald Trump has told Norway’s prime minister that he no longer feels bound to “think purely of peace” after failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as he escalates threats to seize control of Greenland.
In a letter sent to Norwegian premier Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump directly linked his long-running grievance over the Nobel Peace Prize to his demand for a “complete and total purchase” of Greenland, the Arctic territory that forms part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The intervention comes amid rising transatlantic tensions after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the UK and several European allies unless they back his plan to bring Greenland under US control.
🏅 Nobel grievance spills into foreign policy
Norway hosts the Nobel Peace Prize committee, which awards the prize independently of the Norwegian government. Trump has repeatedly complained about not receiving the award, despite lobbying for it during and after his presidency.
In the letter to Støre, 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, although it will always be predominant.”
He went on to say he would now focus on “what is good and proper for the United States of America”, before turning his attention to Greenland.
The comments mark one of the clearest instances yet of Trump framing a major foreign policy dispute through the lens of a personal grievance.
❄️ Greenland demands intensified
Trump has repeatedly claimed that US ownership of Greenland is essential for national and global security, citing concerns about Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
In the letter, he argued that Denmark is incapable of defending the territory and questioned the legitimacy of Danish sovereignty over the island.
“There are no written documents,” Trump wrote, claiming Denmark’s control rested on “only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago”, before adding: “But we had boats landing there also.”
Greenland has been part of the Danish realm for more than 300 years and has extensive self-governing powers. Its elected leaders have repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale and that its future must be decided by its people.
🌍 Tariffs and pressure on European allies
Over the weekend, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on European countries opposing his Greenland ambitions, including Britain, Denmark, France and Germany.
He said the measures would remain in place until a deal was reached to secure US control of the territory, framing the move as necessary to protect “world peace”.
European leaders have rejected the threats, warning that using trade penalties to coerce allies undermines NATO unity and the international rules-based order.
🛡️ NATO claims and historical revisionism
In his letter, Trump also claimed he had “done more for NATO than any other person since its founding”, arguing that the alliance now owed the United States support over Greenland.
“The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland,” he wrote.
The assertion has been dismissed by diplomats and defence analysts, who point out that NATO operates on collective defence principles and that no member state has a right to seize territory from another.
📺 Reaction: ‘truly extraordinary’
The contents of the letter have sparked widespread reaction online, with critics describing it as “insane” and evidence of personal grievance shaping US foreign policy.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, economics editor Faisal Islam said the letter was “truly extraordinary”.
“It’s incredible that this is not a parody,” he said, noting the unprecedented nature of linking Nobel resentment to territorial demands.
Norway’s government has not issued a detailed response to the letter, though officials reiterated that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded independently and that Norway supports international law and national sovereignty.
⚖️ Growing concern among allies
Diplomats across Europe have privately expressed concern that Trump’s Greenland rhetoric, combined with tariff threats, risks destabilising relations between the US and its closest allies.
Greenlandic officials have already warned that any attempt to take the territory by force would violate international law, while Denmark has received firm backing from European partners.
As Trump continues to fuse personal grievances with geopolitical demands, allies are bracing for further escalation in a dispute that has already moved far beyond symbolism.
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