January 19, 2026

Trump ties Greenland pursuit to Nobel Peace Prize snub in letter to Norway

+33

Presidential grievance drives territorial threat escalation

🌍Foreign Policy

On Jan. 19, 2026, Trump sent Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre a letter stating: '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 States of America.' The White House National Security Council distributed the letter to foreign ambassadors in Washington, making it clear the administration wanted it widely shared.

Trump's letter fundamentally misunderstands how the Nobel Peace Prize works. The Norwegian government doesn't award the prize—an independent five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee does. The committee is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament but operates independently according to Alfred Nobel's will. Norway's government has no control over Nobel Committee decisions. Prime Minister Støre confirmed receiving the letter but noted the government doesn't control the prize.

Trump claimed to have 'stopped 8 Wars PLUS' but provided no specifics about which wars. During his first term (2017-2021), major conflicts continued in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. The Abraham Accords normalized Israel-UAE and Israel-Bahrain relations but didn't end conflicts. Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and nearly sparked war with Iran in January 2020.

The letter came as Trump escalated threats over Greenland. He announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland) starting Feb. 1 and rising to 25% by June 1. He threatened 200% tariffs on French wine after President Macron refused to join a 'Board of Peace' to negotiate Greenland's transfer from Denmark. The EU prepared €93 billion in counter-tariffs.

Trump's letter exposes his transactional view of foreign policy and international norms. He explicitly links his willingness to pursue peace to whether he receives personal recognition. The statement 'I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace' suggests peace is conditional on awards and accolades rather than a fundamental principle of U.S. foreign policy. Personal grievance drives policy decisions.

Multiple news outlets confirmed the letter's authenticity. Reuters obtained the full text. NPR, CNN, The Guardian, BBC, Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and The Independent all reported on it. Norwegian PM Støre publicly acknowledged receiving it. The White House didn't deny sending it. Anne Applebaum called it 'insane' in The Atlantic, noting Trump's pattern of bizarre behavior.

The letter undermines U.S. credibility with NATO allies at a critical moment. Trump simultaneously demands European countries increase defense spending while threatening them with tariffs over Greenland. Denmark and Norway are founding NATO members. Trump's willingness to weaponize trade policy against allies over personal grievances weakens the alliance's cohesion during Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

🌍Foreign Policy

People, bills, and sources

Donald Trump

President of the United States

Jonas Gahr Støre

Prime Minister of Norway

Emmanuel Macron

President of France

Anne Applebaum

Historian and Atlantic staff writer

Norwegian Nobel Committee members

Independent prize awarders

White House National Security Council staff

Letter distributors

What you can do

civic action

Support Norwegian Nobel Committee independence after Trump linked Greenland takeover bid to not receiving Nobel Peace Prize in Jan. 2026

Call or email the Norwegian Embassy in Washington to express support for the Nobel Committee's independence from government pressure and to distinguish between Norway's government and the independent committee.

Hi, I'm calling to express support for the independence of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Key points to mention:

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government
Trump's letter blaming Norway's government for the committee's decisions is factually incorrect
Independent prize committees must remain free from political pressure

Questions to ask:

How is Norway responding to Trump's conflation of the government with the Nobel Committee?
What steps can Norway take to clarify the committee's independence?

Specific request: I urge Norway to publicly clarify the Nobel Committee's independence and to resist any pressure to influence future prize decisions.

Thank you for your time.

www.norway.no/en/embassies/usa

civic action

Submit public comment opposing tariffs on European allies to USTR

File formal comment with U.S. Trade Representative opposing Trump's threatened tariffs on Denmark, Norway, and six other European NATO allies over Greenland. Tariffs on allies undermine national security and harm American consumers.

I am submitting a public comment opposing the threatened tariffs on European NATO allies.

Key points to include:

Trump announced 10% tariffs on eight European countries starting Feb. 1, rising to 25% by June 1
These countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Finland) are NATO allies
Tariffs harm American consumers and businesses that import from Europe
Using trade policy to pursue territorial expansion undermines U.S. credibility

Specific request: I urge USTR to reject tariffs on NATO allies and to maintain trade relationships based on mutual economic benefit rather than personal grievances.

Thank you.

regulations.gov

civic action

Contact House Foreign Affairs Committee demanding oversight hearings

Call or email the House Foreign Affairs Committee to demand hearings on Trump's use of personal grievances to justify foreign policy decisions and tariffs on NATO allies.

Hi, I'm calling to demand oversight hearings on the president's letter to Norway and threatened tariffs on NATO allies.

Key points to mention:

Trump explicitly linked Greenland pursuit to not receiving Nobel Peace Prize
He threatened tariffs on eight NATO allies over Greenland
Personal grievances are driving foreign policy decisions
This undermines U.S. credibility and alliance cohesion

Questions to ask:

Will the committee hold hearings on Trump's NATO ally tariff threats?
What oversight exists for presidential use of trade policy based on personal grievances?

Specific request: I want the committee to investigate whether Trump's tariff threats violate his constitutional duty to protect U.S. interests and maintain alliances.

Thank you for your time.