Updated Jan. 19, 2026, 9:41 a.m. ET
President Donald Trump sent a a letter on Jan 18 to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in which complained about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he no longer will think “purely of Peace” as a result. Trump went on to assert that only a “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” by the U.S. could keep the world “secure.”
Trump’s letter was first reported by PBS journalist Nick Schifrin in an X post, was later confirmed by Støre to the Norwegian outlet VG.
“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 United States of America,” the letter says.
Støre told VG that the letter came in response to a short message earlier in the day from him and the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.
“I 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,” the letter says.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump has said acquiring the territory is essential to U.S. national security and to “protect” it from Russia and China.
Støre on Jan. 17,pushed back on Trump’s insistence that U.S. should control Greenland, saying.
“Threats have no place among allies. Norway’s position is firm: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Norway fully supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he wrote on X. “There is broad agreement in NATO on the need to strengthen security in the Arctic, including in Greenland.”
Meanwhile, Trump announced on Jan. 17 that a 10% tariff would be imposed on all goods sent to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Finland unless “a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa issued a statement on Jan. 17 saying “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law” and adding that the EU “stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.”
