'No longer feel obligated to think of peace...' Trump's strong note to Norway PM over Greenland
US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric on Greenland, declaring that he no longer feels obliged to focus solely on peace in a blunt letter sent to Norway’s Prime Minister and shared with European ambassadors in Washington.
The letter, addressed to Jonas Gahr Store, was forwarded by National Security Council staff to multiple embassies, according to PBS News. In it, Trump expressed frustration at not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and said this freed him to prioritise what he views as US interests.
Questioning Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, Trump argued that Copenhagen cannot adequately protect the territory from Russia or China and challenged the historical basis of Danish ownership.
He also asserted that he had done more for NATO than anyone since its founding, insisting the alliance should now reciprocate. “The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland,” the letter stated.
The remarks came days after Store criticised Trump’s newly announced tariffs, saying that “threats have no place” among allies. Norway is among eight European countries affected by the measures, alongside Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Under the plan, a 10 per cent tariff is set to take effect on February 1, rising to 25 per cent on June 1. Trump has said the levies will remain until a deal is reached for what he described as the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
Norway has firmly rejected the idea, reiterating its support for Danish sovereignty. In a social media post, Store said there was broad agreement within NATO on strengthening Arctic security, including in Greenland.
Oslo has also participated in the Danish-led Operation Arctic Endurance military exercises, contributing personnel to the territory. Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik confirmed that two Norwegian military members were deployed as part of the drills.
Following Trump’s tariff threat, Norway joined other European nations in issuing a joint statement condemning the measures. The statement warned that tariff threats risk undermining transatlantic relations and pledged continued unity, coordination, and commitment to shared Arctic security under NATO.