New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has linked his push to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to a text
message he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
In the message sent on Sunday, Trump wrote that because Norway had not awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize, he no longer felt obliged to think “purely of peace” in his foreign policy approach, according to reports.
“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, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
Trump again questions Denmark’s claim to Greenland
Norway’s government released the messages on Monday under its freedom of information law. The text was a response to a message sent earlier by Støre, co-signed by Finnish president Alexander Stubb, urging de-escalation and requesting a phone call over the growing standoff on Greenland.
In the same message, Trump questioned Denmark’s claim to Greenland and repeated his assertion that the world would not be secure unless the United States had “complete and total control” of the island.
Støre later said he had explained to Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee and not by the Norwegian government. “As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have on several occasions clearly explained to Trump what is well known, namely that it is an independent Nobel Committee, and not the Norwegian government, that awards the prize,” a New York Times report quoted him as saying.
Trump threatens to impose tariffs on several European countries
Trump has, meanwhile, intensified his campaign to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member. He has threatened to impose tariffs on several European countries unless the United States is allowed to buy the island.
Asked by NBC News on Monday whether he would use force to seize Greenland, Trump replied “No comment” but said he would “100 per cent” proceed with tariffs if no deal is reached.
Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to US national security and must be protected from Russian and Chinese influence. Denmark has repeatedly rejected the idea of selling the self-governing territory, saying its 57,000 residents will decide their own future.
Denmark deploys additional military forces to Greenland
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory would not be pressured and would stand by dialogue, respect and international law.
Denmark has begun deploying additional military forces to Greenland, calling it a substantial contribution to Arctic security exercises.
