Trump escalates tensions in Greenland with allies, linking it to taking Nobel Peace Prize

American allies in Europe rallied Monday against President Trump’s escalating campaign to seize control of Greenland, they accused him of accusing him of a new tax threat if they continue to reject his request that the US acquire this large island. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump appeared to say that he is still willing to use the American military to achieve his goal.

In a message sent by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and shared with other NATO allies, Mr. Trump said because of the decision he awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to someone other than himself this year, he no longer feels “obligated to think only about peace,” and that “now you can think about what is good and right for the United States of America.”

In the next sentence, Mr. Trump was referring to his controversial request for the US to take ownership of Greenland, which has been an American ally of Denmark for years. He renews his claim that only full US control can prevent it Arctic island strategies from falling into the hands of China or Russia.

Trump’s claims about Greenland and US security

Those closest to the United States in NATO dismissed Mr. both sides of the roadthat the US needs to own Greenland for security reasons.

They note that Greenland already falls under the protection of the transatlantic alliance as a Danish territory, that the US has had at least one military base on the island since World War II and that Denmark has given an open invitation for Washington to increase that defense presence in cooperation with its allies.

Apart from those facts, and the efforts of Denmark and other European NATO members to show understanding and willingness to face the growing competition. to control important new shipping lanes on an island rich in resources, mr. Trump reiterates in his message to the Norwegian leader that “The world is not secure unless we have Full and Complete Control of Greenland.”

He argues that Denmark cannot defend its Arctic territory in the face of threats from Russia and China – threats that Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice chairman of the US Intelligence Committee, called false over the weekend.

“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China,” Mr. Trump wrote, ignoring the fact that, for almost 80 years, since the US and its European partners committed to the principle of collective security and the agreement establishing NATO, the defense of Greenland has been a shared responsibility.

Mr. Trump questions in this note, as he has done before, the right of Denmark to any claim over Greenland, arguing that the basis is that “a boat stayed there hundreds of years ago, but there were boats that got there, too.”

Denmark became a colonial power in Greenland in the early 18th century, some 50 years before the United States became an independent nation with its own navy. Greenland remained a Danish colony until 1953, when the island gained its current independence.

Although the population is small at about 60,000 people, Greenland has its own elected government, and the island’s leaders and the people of Greenland have made it clear that they do not want to be part of the US.

Norway’s leader responds to Trump’s message

The Norwegian government shared a statement on Monday from Prime Minister Støre in which he confirmed that he had received Mr. Trump on Sunday afternoon.

He said it came in response to a message he sent with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

“In our message to Trump we conveyed our opposition to his announced tax increases against Norway, Finland and selected other countries. We pointed out the need to reduce and suggested a telephone conversation between Trump, Stubb and myself on the same day. The response from Trump came shortly after the message was sent,” said Støre in a statement, adding that it was Mr.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter. We also support that NATO in a responsible manner takes steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic,” said Støre.

He added, “Regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including President Trump what is known, the award is given by the independent Nobel Committee and not by the Norwegian Government.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Monday that the president “believes that Greenland is a very important place from a national security perspective,” and “is confident that the people of Greenland will be better served if they are protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region.”

The UK leader doubts that Trump will use the US military to take over Greenland

Mr. Trump surprised NATO members in America over the weekend threatening to impose new prices Denmark and seven other European countries if they continue to reject his demands to take over Greenland.

After holding talks among themselves on Sunday, the eight countries issued a joint statement saying they are “committed to strengthening security in the Arctic as a common transatlantic interest,” while reiterating their support for Denmark and Greenland.

They said they were “ready to enter into a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we firmly stand behind,” and warned that threats of tariffs undermine “transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”

British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who has maintained a good relationship with Mr.

“But there is a principle here that cannot be set aside, because it goes to the heart of how stable and reliable international cooperation works, so any decision about the future status of Greenland is for the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone,” said Starmer.

“Denmark is a close ally of the UK and the US – a proud NATO member who has been with us, including at a real human cost in recent decades,” said Starmer, referring to the Danish soldiers fighting with the US and British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, as part of the NATO alliance.

“Unions endure because they are built on respect and cooperation, not pressure. That’s why I said the use of taxes against partners is absolutely wrong. It’s not the right way to resolve differences within the union, and it doesn’t help to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland’s security as a reason for economic pressure,” he said. “A trade war doesn’t care about anyone.”

Regarding Mr. Trump has not ruled out the use of the US military to seize territory from a NATO ally, Starmer said he does not believe it will come to that.

“Actually, I don’t,” she said. “I think this can be resolved and should be resolved through a calm discussion, but through the application of the principles I have set about who decides the future of Greenland.”