Trump Escalates Push for Greenland, Linking it to Nobel Prize Snub
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President Donald Trump is working to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, threatening to impose tariffs on Denmark and seven other European nations if a deal is not reached. The President tied the issue to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year in a text message to the Norwegian Prime Minister, suggesting he no longer feels a duty to prioritize peace. Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland have been met with resistance from European leaders, who he criticizes for focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict instead of Greenland.
President Trump Escalates Efforts for Acquisition of Semi-autonomous Greenland Amid Rising Tensions
As discord escalates over President Trump’s Greenland acquisition goals, his stance remains elusive amidst this geopolitical contention. When asked if military force would be deployed for the takeover, the president declined to comment in an NBC News interview.
The President has intensified his campaign to purchase Greenland. He recently declared his intention to impose 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European nations until a deal for Greenland is brokered.
He further complicated the situation with European allies by tying Greenland’s purchase issue to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year. He disclosed this in a message to Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. “I can now consider America’s interests besides Peace,” Trump said in the message.
The new tariffs, set to become effective on Feb. 1, also impact Norway, as stated in a post Trump shared on his social platform.
Støre made clear in a statement his unwavering support for Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.
The Nobel Peace Prize committee, appointed by Norway’s parliament, selected Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, for the honor in 2025. Machado, grateful for Trump’s role in overthrowing Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro, gifted Trump her 18-karat gold medal during a recent White House visit.
Trump rebuffed claims that the Norwegian government lacked influence on the Nobel Peace Prize. “Norway totally controls it,” he asserted.
European leaders’ resistance to his Greenland procurement plans has irked Trump. He suggested Europe should redirect its attention to the war with Russia and Ukraine. “Europe should focus on — not Greenland,” Trump stated.
Regarding implementing tariffs on European nations in the absence of a Greenland deal, Trump vowed, “I will, 100%.”
About the authors
Senior White House reporter for NBC News, Peter Nicholas, and London-based senior reporter for NBC News Digital, Alexander Smith, reported this story. Contributions were made by Gabe Gutierrez and Carolin Sri-Narayana.
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