The UK finds itself in the crosshairs of a potential transatlantic trade war, after former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European allies, citing a dispute over Greenland and a personal grievance over the Nobel Peace Prize.
Diplomatic Texts Reveal Nobel Prize Fury
The escalating crisis was laid bare on Monday 19 January 2026, when the Norwegian government released a full exchange of messages between its Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and Trump. The correspondence was obtained under Norway's freedom of information laws.
The diplomatic row began after Trump suggested a more aggressive foreign policy stance towards allies, including threatening tariffs for supporting Denmark in the ongoing spat over Greenland. In response, Prime Minister Støre, writing jointly with Finnish President Alexander Stubb (referred to as Alex), urged de-escalation.
In a message sent on 18 January at 1448 GMT, Støre proposed a call to discuss "Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine" and the tariff announcement, stressing the need for allies to "stand together."
Trump's Retort: "No Obligation to Think Purely of Peace"
Trump's reply, sent just 27 minutes later at 1515 GMT, was sharp and revealing. He directly linked his aggressive stance to being overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming he had "stopped 8 Wars PLUS."
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize... I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace," Trump wrote, adding he could now focus solely on what is "good and proper for the United States of America."
He argued that Denmark could not protect Greenland from Russia or China, questioning its historical claim to ownership. Trump asserted, "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland," and framed the issue as NATO needing to repay the United States for his past contributions.
Norway Caught in the Middle as Threats Escalate
Caught unexpectedly in the crisis, Prime Minister Støre insisted on Monday that he had repeatedly explained to Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian state.
Trump doubled down in comments to NBC, claiming Norway "totally controls it despite what they say." He vowed to proceed with tariffs against European nations if a deal on Greenland cannot be reached. When pressed on whether he would consider using military force to seize the allied territory, the former president refused to comment.
This stance directly implicates the United Kingdom, as Trump's tariff threats are aimed at allies who have supported Denmark. The release of the candid texts exposes the fragility of diplomatic relations under Trump's potential return to power and highlights how personal grievances can swiftly translate into global economic and security threats.
