Trump's Greenland Controversy: A Threat to Peace?

Mon Jan 19 2026 16:23:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

US President Donald Trump links his failed Nobel Peace Prize bid to his escalating demands for control over Greenland, escalating tensions with global leaders.

In a recent message, President Donald Trump expressed his frustrations about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, stating that this has changed his perspective on diplomatic obligations. He reiterated his demands for control over Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance for US national security. The situation has drawn responses from international leaders, who call for careful dialogues instead of threats.

US President Donald Trump has said he no longer feels obliged to think only of peace after he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, as he again repeated his demand for control of Greenland.

In a message to Norway's prime minister, Trump blamed the country for not giving him the prize.

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 US, Trump stated.

He added, The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.

CBS News, the BBC's US partner, confirmed the message and its contents. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway noted he received the text message on Sunday after he and Finland's president Alexander Stubb reached out to Trump.

Støre conveyed opposition to proposed tariff increases over the Greenland dispute and suggested a three-way phone call to de-escalate the situation.

Støre also mentioned that an independent committee, rather than Norway's government, awards the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland stems from its strategic location and resource wealth, which he claims is essential for national security against threats from Russia and China.

Over the weekend, Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight NATO allies starting in February if they oppose his takeover of Greenland, with the potential to increase it to 25% by June.

Trump framed his demand for Greenland within a larger context, questioning Denmark’s ownership rights due to vague historical claims while asserting that past explorers from various nations had landed there.

International reactions have varied, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserting that Greenland's status should be determined solely by its people and Denmark, dismissing Trump's tariff threats as inappropriate.

As tensions rise, the governments of Denmark and Greenland, along with NATO allies, have decided to bolster military presences in the Arctic region. The discourse surrounding Trump's demands reflects deeper geopolitical dynamics and relations within NATO, where cooperative security is becoming increasingly complex.

Trump's previous claims of ending wars during his presidency have led to skepticism among critics, further complicating the narrative surrounding his request for a Nobel Peace Prize.