In a recent development, President Trump has communicated to NATO ally Norway that he ‘no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace.’ This assertion was made in a letter that was leaked and is reportedly filled with Trump’s frustration over Greenland and his lack of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
The correspondence, which PBS managed to obtain after it was circulated to several European embassies, highlights Trump’s insistence that the United States should have control over Greenland, arguing that Denmark, as a fellow Scandinavian nation, is unable to safeguard it from Russian and Chinese ambitions.
Trump further criticized Denmark’s claim to the expansive Arctic region, noting that its connection to the country was merely because ‘a boat landed there hundreds of years ago,’ while adding ‘we had boats landing there, also.’ This is despite the fact that Danish explorers arrived in Greenland 55 years before the United States came into existence.
European allies are already expressing concern over what they perceive as American ‘coercion,’ given Trump’s looming threat to impose trade tariffs on the UK and EU. These measures are seen as retaliation for their resistance to the US acquiring Greenland, highlighted by recent military maneuvers by America’s NATO allies on the island.
In the initial parts of the letter, Trump issued a troubling statement about no longer prioritizing ‘purely of peace,’ and even suggested that he is targeting an allied nation because ‘your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 wars PLUS.’
It is important to note that Norway is not responsible for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize, which is determined by an independent committee.
In his communication to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump expressed dissatisfaction, noting that his NATO allies don’t contribute enough to his efforts, and thus, they should concede Greenland to the United States.
“I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States,” stated President Trump in the revealing letter.
The emergence of this letter coincides with the White House’s controversial decision to impose a 10 percent trade tariff on its allies, a move made in response to their lack of support for the US’s pursuit of Greenland. This situation is further complicated by an existing agreement from the 1950s that allows the US to maintain military bases on the island.
During a press conference addressing Trump’s tariffs, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made it clear that Europe will stand firm on the issue of Greenland, emphatically stating that ‘the use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong.’
“Dear Jonas: 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, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United State of America.
“Denmark cannot protect the land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there also.
“I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.
“Thank you! President DJT.”
The White House has been contacted for a response.