‘Have Clearly Explained...’: Norway PM Reminds Trump That Nobel Committee, Not Govt, Picks Winner

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Monday said he had “clearly explained” to US President Donald Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee and not by the Norwegian government, responding to remarks by Trump linking the prize to his push for US control of Greenland.

In a statement, Støre confirmed that he had received a text message from Trump a day earlier, sent in response to a message from him and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The message from the Nordic leaders conveyed their opposition to Trump’s announced tariff increases against Norway, Finland and several other countries, and called for de-escalation.

Støre said he and Stubb had also proposed a telephone conversation with Trump on the same day.

Trump’s response, he added, was sent shortly afterwards and was later shared by the US President with other NATO leaders at his own discretion.

Clarifying Norway’s position, Støre said Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and that Oslo fully supports Denmark on the matter. He also said Norway backs NATO’s efforts to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic in a responsible manner.

“As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to President Trump, what is well known — the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian government,” Støre said.

Trump’s remarks came amid rising tensions between Washington and several European allies over Greenland. The US President has repeatedly said the world would not be secure unless the United States had “complete and total control” of the vast, mineral-rich Arctic territory, which is an autonomous part of Denmark.

Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on a range of NATO countries — including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, France and the United Kingdom — if they oppose his plans for Greenland, prompting sharp reactions from European leaders who have described the move as “blackmail”.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has rejected the pressure, saying the territory would not be coerced and has the right to make its own decisions. The European Union has announced an emergency summit later this week to consider its response, while Denmark has proposed enhanced NATO surveillance operations in the Arctic.

The dispute has further strained transatlantic ties, with European leaders warning that escalating trade and security tensions would be damaging for all sides.