U.S. President Donald Trump linked his hard-line stance toward Greenland to the fact that he was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, according to a text message released to Norway’s prime minister.
The message—presented as a response to Trump—was published by Norway’s government and was later confirmed by the White House. In the text, Trump told Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that he no longer felt “a duty to think only about peace,” and he added that the world was not safe unless the United States had “complete and absolute” control of Greenland.
The release of the message comes as Trump’s approach to Greenland has heightened tensions not only with Denmark, but also with European allies. Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark, and Denmark is a NATO member. Trump’s message appeared to intensify the dispute between Washington and allies over threats to take control of the island, as Trump also announced tariffs aimed at European countries, including Norway.
Trump announced a 10% tariff, starting in February, on products from eight European countries, including Norway. Those countries issued a strong rebuke. In a statement on social media, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU has “no interest in starting a fight,” but “will maintain our position,” as European governments pressed for dialogue rather than escalation.
Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, declined to rule out military action when asked about the possibility of Trump invading Greenland. He said “nothing can be ruled out” until Trump decides to rule it out. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meanwhile, urged de-escalation, saying he believed the matter “can be resolved and should be resolved through a calm conversation,” and that he did not think military action would take place.
In an apparent attempt to open talks, Trump posted early Tuesday that he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and that he had agreed to a meeting of “the various parties” in Davos, Switzerland, where the annual World Economic Forum meeting is scheduled this week. Trump also posted an altered image showing him planting a U.S. flag next to signage stating “Groenlandia, Territorio de EEUU, Est. 2026,” and another image depicting him in the Oval Office alongside a map marked with U.S. flags over Greenland and Canada.
Greenland’s leadership rejected the tariff threat. Thousands of Greenlanders marched over the weekend protesting any attempt to take the island, and Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen posted on Facebook that the tariff threats would not change Greenland’s position.
Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business, minerals, energy, justice and equality, told The Associated Press that she was “moved” by the quick response of allies to the tariff threat and said it showed countries understood the issue “goes beyond Greenland.” She also pointed to a broader concern about what would come next if Greenland were conceded.
Norway’s prime minister said Greenland belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark and that Norway fully supports Denmark in the matter. Regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, Støre said the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel committee, not by the Norwegian government, and he said he had explained that to Trump as well.
Trump has continued to use the tariffs in the wider standoff. In the tariff-related threat described by the AP, Trump linked the move to what he portrayed as a response to small deployments by European countries in the Arctic region, including Denmark. European officials told AP they sent no more than a few dozen personnel in total, in a move intended to address security concerns raised by Trump.
NATO’s top official also sought to frame the issue in alliance-security terms. Rutte said in a post on Monday that he discussed the region’s importance for NATO’s “collective security” during a meeting with foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland.
In the European bloc, the president of the European Council, António Costa, said European leaders expressed readiness “to defend ourselves of any form of coercion” and announced a summit for Thursday night.