Trump won’t Say Whether He Would use Force to Seize Greenland
By Peter Nicholas and Alexander Smith
The president was guarded in how far he’ll go to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory in an exclusive interview with NBC News.
WASHINGTON — As tensions escalate over President Donald Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland, he was guarded Monday in how far he’ll go to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Asked if he would use force to seize Greenland, the president said, “No comment,” in a brief telephone interview with NBC News.
Trump has stepped up his push to take possession of Greenland. He said Saturday he would impose 10% tariffs on Denmark and seven other European nations until a deal is struck for America’s acquisition of Greenland.
The president then introduced a new wrinkle to his standoff with longtime European allies, linking Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize last year in a text message Sunday to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The Norwegian leader released his text message exchange with Trump under Norway’s public disclosure laws, his press office said.
“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,” Trump said in the message, which was first reported by PBS and confirmed as accurate in a statement by the Norwegian prime minister.
Norway was one of the countries hit with the new tariffs, which would kick in Feb. 1, according to a post Trump wrote on his social media platform.
In a statement Monday, Støre said, “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter.”
A five-member committee appointed by Norway’s parliament awards the Nobel Peace Prize each year. In 2025, the committee chose Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, for the honor. As a show of gratitude for his ouster of Venezuela’s repressive leader Nicolás Maduro in a military strike, Machado gave Trump her 18-karat gold medal in a visit to the White House last week.
Trump dismissed the idea that Norway has no sway over the Nobel Peace Prize competition and that the decision is entirely up to the committee.
“Norway totally controls it despite what they say,” he told NBC News.
“They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything thing to do with it,” the president added.
Others have insisted that’s not the case.
Lewis Lukens, who was a senior diplomat in the U.S. Embassy in London during Trump’s first term, said in a recent interview: “I’m not sure who Trump thinks he can intimidate or pressure to get a prize. One would hope that he has people around him who are telling him there’s no point in antagonizing or pressuring the Norwegian government, because they have nothing to do with it.”
Trump reiterated a point he’s made before in discussing the Nobel. Through his peacemaking efforts, he said he has stopped eight wars and saved many lives — a greater reward.
“I don’t care about the Nobel Prize,” he said.
In the interview, Trump also faulted European leaders who’ve resisted his efforts to procure Greenland, which he says is needed to safeguard national security against outside threats.
“Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them,” Trump said. “That’s what Europe should focus on — not Greenland.”
When asked if he will follow through on plans to hit the European nations with tariffs absent a Greenland deal, Trump said, “I will, 100%.”
