President Trump sent a message to Norway’s prime minister saying he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of peace” because he didn’t receive the Nobel Peace Prize and only U.S. control of Greenland can ensure global security.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Monday he received on Sunday the message linking the Nobel snub to Mr. Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on NATO allies that oppose his goal of acquiring Greenland.
“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” Mr. Gahr Store said in a statement. “As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to President Trump, what is well known: the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian government.”
Mr. Trump is expected this week to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will likely raise their objections to Mr. Trump’s move on Greenland.
“Together we stand firm in our commitment to uphold the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. We will always protect our strategic economic and security interests,” Ms. von der Leyen posted Sunday on X. “We will face these challenges to our European solidarity with steadiness and resolve.”
Mr. Trump’s message, first reported by PBS, questions Denmark’s right to claim ownership of Greenland, a semi-autonomous island in the Arctic region.
“There are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there also,” Mr. Trump said.
According to two European officials, Mr. Trump’s message to Mr. Gahr Store read in part: “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, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
It concluded: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
Starting Feb. 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom — all NATO allies — will face a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the U.S. The tariff will increase to 25% on June 1, Mr. Trump posted on X.
“This tariff will be due and payable until such time a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland,” the president said Saturday. “The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused.”
Mr. Trump’s ambitions toward Greenland and the tariff threat to European countries that attempt to impede it have prompted some NATO allies to advocate for a “united and coordinated” response.
“France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday. “We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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