Wednesday, January 21, 2026- President Donald Trump has publicly connected his aggressive push for the United States to gain control of Greenland with his frustration over not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, according to international leaders.
In a message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump said that because he was not given the prize which was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of peace” and would focus instead on what he believes is best for U.S. interests. He went on to argue that the world would not be “secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland,” linking his geopolitical ambitions to personal grievance over the Nobel outcome.
The message, confirmed by both the Norwegian government and multiple media outlets, escalates an already tense dispute between the United States and its European allies over Greenland’s status. Trump’s comments came amid threats of punitive tariffs on countries opposing his plan to assert greater influence or even control over the Arctic territory, which is currently a self‑governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
European leaders have condemned the linkage between the Nobel Peace Prize and Greenland ambitions, and Norway’s Støre publicly clarified that the Norwegian government does not decide Nobel laureates, a responsibility placed with an independent committee.
The unusual juxtaposition of personal accolades with foreign policy has drawn sharp international attention, complicating transatlantic relations and putting additional strain on NATO cooperation. Trump has continued to defend his stance by framing Greenland’s strategic importance in the face of Russian and Chinese influence, though critics argue his rhetoric undermines diplomatic norms and weakens alliances. As the situation unfolds, debates over territorial sovereignty, alliance cohesion, and the role of personal politics in U.S. foreign policy are intensifying across capitals worldwide.
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