Former US President Donald Trump has reportedly sent a highly unorthodox letter to Norway's prime minister, explicitly linking his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize with his renewed determination to secure American control over Greenland.
The Contents of the Controversial Letter
A copy of the letter, obtained by PBS News after it was circulated among European ambassadors in Washington, reveals Trump's direct address to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. In it, Trump states that because Norway "decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS," he no longer feels a sole "obligation to think purely of Peace."
He argues this shift allows him to focus on what is "good and proper for the United States of America," specifically the acquisition of Greenland. The letter dismisses Denmark's claim to the autonomous territory, questioning its "right of ownership" and suggesting historical precedent is weak. Trump asserts, "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland."
NATO Called Upon to Facilitate Annexation
A central and explosive demand within the correspondence is the call for the NATO military alliance to actively support a US annexation of Greenland. Trump claims, "I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States."
This follows public statements made by Trump on Saturday, 17 January 2026, where he vowed to implement escalating tariffs on European allies until the US is permitted to purchase Greenland. On his Truth Social platform, he criticised Denmark for being unable, in his view, to address the "Russian threat" near Greenland despite two decades of NATO warnings.
International Rejection and Local Protest
The governments of both Denmark and Greenland have consistently and firmly rejected the notion of a sale or transfer of sovereignty. Leaders have stated the island is not for sale and its population does not wish to become part of the United States.
This political tension has sparked public demonstrations. On Saturday, 17 January 2026, protesters gathered outside the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, to voice their opposition to Trump's policies regarding their homeland.
European officials have countered Trump's security arguments by pointing out that Greenland already falls under the protection of NATO's collective security pact. They maintain that existing frameworks are sufficient to address any strategic concerns regarding Russian or Chinese activity in the Arctic region, without necessitating a change in sovereignty.
