Trump Links Greenland Control to Nobel Snub, Escalating Tensions With NATO Allies

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric over Greenland, tying his demand for “complete and total control” of the autonomous Danish territory to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In a message sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump said he no longer felt bound to think only about peace after not being awarded the prize last year, directly blaming Norway for the decision.

Støre responded by clarifying that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government, and noted that the 2025 prize was given to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Despite this, Trump reiterated that Norway “totally controls” the Nobel process and dismissed official explanations to the contrary.

In the same message, Trump argued that U.S. control of Greenland was essential for global security, claiming Denmark could not adequately protect the Arctic territory from threats posed by Russia or China. When later asked whether the United States might use force to seize Greenland, Trump declined to comment.

The remarks have further strained relations within NATO. Denmark, a founding member of the alliance, has warned that any U.S. military action against Greenland would undermine NATO itself. Several European allies have expressed solidarity with Denmark, with some deploying small symbolic military contingents to Greenland in response to Trump’s threats.

Tensions escalated further when Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight NATO allies — including the UK, Germany and France — starting February 1, with the possibility of raising tariffs to 25% by June if they oppose his Greenland ambitions. European leaders have urged de-escalation, emphasizing the importance of unity amid rising global instability.

Greenland’s strategic importance lies in its Arctic location, offering critical early-warning capabilities for missile defense and monitoring key shipping routes. Denmark and Greenland, supported by NATO partners, have recently agreed to increase military exercises and presence in the region as a precautionary measure.

Trump has long sought the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming credit for ending multiple global conflicts during his presidency. However, fact-checkers have questioned the scope and permanence of those claims. The latest episode underscores growing diplomatic friction between Washington and its traditional allies over security, trade and sovereignty.