President Donald Trump sent a sharp message to Norwayβs prime minister this week as he stepped up pressure to gain control of Greenland. He linked the push to his failure to win last yearβs Nobel Peace Prize and warned allies that he no longer felt bound to focus only on peace.
In a note addressed to Jonas Gahr StΓΈre, Trump wrote at length about the prize and about Greenland.
βDear Jonas,β the message begins. βConsidering 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.β
NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that theβ¦
β Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) January 19, 2026
Trump also named NATO and demanded more from the alliance. βI have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT.β
The letter reached StΓΈre and was shared with several European envoys in Washington, according to reporting that traced the note through Norway to other capitals. StΓΈre confirmed he had received the message and sought calm. European leaders have since held fast to the view that Greenland is not for sale.
The timing followed a social media post by the president in which he again accused Denmark of failing to fend off a Russian threat in the Arctic. βNATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that βyou have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.β Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!β he wrote.
Trump also warned of new tariffs. He said the United States would impose a 10% import tax on several European countries unless Copenhagen agreed to a sale. The list included Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland. Officials in Brussels and national capitals quickly prepared responses.
The Nobel Peace Prize itself went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who visited the White House this week and gave the president her medal at a private lunch. The Nobel committee later clarified that the medal can be handed on but the prize itself is not transferable.
Experts say the move risks a big break with allies and could unsettle NATO ties and trade talks. Markets showed early jitters as officials weighed possible counter measures. Some onlookers noted that demanding land while quoting past peace work is an unusual negotiating strategy, but nothing if not efficient at getting attention.
For now the dispute is a standoff that plays out in notes, posts and press briefings. Leaders on both sides say they prefer talk over trouble, but they are also preparing plans in case words do not do the trick.
Featured image via X screengrab
