President Donald Trump told Norway’s prime minister that he no longer feels obligated “to think purely of peace” when it comes to the United States acquiring Greenland. He linked his position to what he described as a lack of recognition for his role in preventing major global conflicts.
The remarks were made in a Jan. 18 text message sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The exchange was later released under Norway’s freedom of information law and confirmed by Norwegian officials.
“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,” Trump wrote. “Although it will always be predominant, I can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
Trump repeated his demand for U.S. control of Greenland, which is a recognized territory of the Kingdom of Denmark under international law. In the text message, he questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the island.
“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China,” Trump wrote. “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
Norwegian officials confirmed Trump’s message came in response to a joint note from Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The two leaders had urged de-escalation after Trump announced new tariffs on several European countries.
Trump said a 10 percent tariff would take effect Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. He said the rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1.
Trump said the tariffs would remain in place until a deal is reached for what he described as the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
Støre responded by restating Norway’s support for Denmark’s sovereignty over the island. He also rejected any claim that the Norwegian government controls the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear,” Støre said. “Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter.”
He added that the prize is awarded by an independent body. He said it is not controlled by the Norwegian government.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Trump did not receive the award.
Machado later presented Trump with her Nobel medal during a visit to the White House. The committee later clarified that Nobel prizes cannot be transferred or reassigned.
When asked by reporters on Jan. 19 whether the Nobel Prize influenced his stance on Greenland, Trump dismissed the idea.
“I don’t care about the Nobel Prize,” Trump said. “What I care about is saving lives, and I think I’ve saved tens of millions of lives.”
Trump has argued that acquiring Greenland is vital to U.S. national security. He has cited the island’s strategic Arctic location, natural resources, missile defense value, and proximity to Russia and China.
He has also said he has done more for NATO than anyone since its founding. He said the alliance now owes the United States support in securing Greenland.
The dispute has raised tensions with European leaders. Several EU officials have warned that retaliation is possible if pressure is applied to Denmark or Greenland.
Trump said the issue would be discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He also said he had a “very good” phone call with Mark Rutte about Greenland.
In a later social media post, Trump reinforced his position. He wrote that “Greenland is imperative for National and World Security” and that “there can be no going back.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Trump’s approach. He rejected claims that the move was driven by the Nobel Prize.
“The president is looking at Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States,” Bessent said. “We are not going to outsource our hemisphere security to anyone else.”