In a new escalation of strained transatlantic relations, US President Donald Trump widespread controversy by announcing his abandonment of his unwavering commitment to working for peace, linking this radical shift to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize . This came in an official letter addressed to the Norwegian Prime Minister, in which he asserted that global security hinges on US control of the strategic island of Greenland.
Linking the prize to foreign policy
The letter, circulated on Monday, revealed Trump's approach of linking major policy decisions to personal favoritism. Addressing Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, he wrote: "Since your country decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize after I stopped more than eight wars, I no longer feel obligated to work solely for peace." This statement reflects Trump's firm belief in his entitlement to the prize, a stance he adopted during his previous term when he repeatedly criticized the awarding of the prize to other figures and the disregard for his own efforts in complex international issues.
The strategic importance of Greenland: Beyond the ice
Greenland were not a spur-of-the-moment decision or simply a desire for real estate expansion; they are based on significant geopolitical realities. Greenland is a vital strategic location for US national security, hosting Thule Air Base, the northernmost US military base, which plays a pivotal role in the ballistic missile early warning system and space surveillance. Furthermore, the island is rich in vast natural resources and rare minerals, attracting the attention of major powers like China and Russia, which explains Trump's insistence that "Denmark cannot protect this land" from international rivals.
Historical background: This is not the first attempt
It is worth noting that the United States' desire to purchase Greenland is not unprecedented and unique to Trump, although his approach is the most aggressive. Historically, the United States offered to buy the island in 1946 under President Harry Truman for $100 million in gold, given its military importance after World War II. Washington also previously succeeded in purchasing the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. However, the current proposal is characterized by an unprecedentedly threatening tone, including the threat of imposing tariffs on European allies.
Economic and political repercussions
This tension immediately cast a shadow over the markets, with European stock exchanges declining amid fears of a new trade war. Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on eight European countries that opposed his ambitions in Greenland. In response, the European Union vowed a firm response, while the Norwegian Prime Minister attempted to clarify the Nobel Prize situation, emphasizing the independence of the awarding committee from the government—a distinction the US President seems unwilling to accept in the context of his ongoing pressure campaign.
Trump concluded his message by questioning the legitimacy of Danish sovereignty over the island, saying: “There are no written documents, it’s just that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago,” stressing that the world will not be safe unless Washington fully controls the island, in a direct link between global security and American interests.
