Trump escalates Greenland standoff with allies, linking it to alleged Nobel Peace Prize snub

America’s European allies united on Monday against President Trump’s escalating campaign to annex Greenland. They accused him of blackmailing them with new tariff threats if they continue to reject the US’s bid to acquire the huge island. Meanwhile, Mr Trump appeared to signal that he was still willing to use the US military to achieve his aims.

In a message sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storey and shared with other NATO allies, Mr Trump stated that due to the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to someone other than himself this year, he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely about peace.” And he “can now think about what is good and right for the United States.”

In the next sentence, Mr Trump mentions his controversial demand that the US take ownership of Greenland, which has been the territory of Denmark, a US ally, for centuries. He renewed his claim that only complete American control could prevent strategic Arctic islands from falling into the hands of China or Russia.

Trump’s claims regarding Greenland and American security

America’s closest allies in NATO, as well as US lawmakers, have rejected Mr Trump’s argument on both sides of the aisle that America needs ownership of Greenland for security reasons.

He noted that Greenland is already protected by the transatlantic alliance as a Danish territory, the US has maintained at least one military base on the island since World War II, and Denmark has extended an open invitation to Washington to enhance that defence presence in collaboration with its allies.

Despite those facts, Denmark and other European NATO members have made efforts to demonstrate their understanding and willingness to address the growing competition for control of important new shipping lanes around the resource-rich island. In his message to the Norwegian leader, Mr. Trump again claimed that “the world is not safe until we have complete and total control of Greenland.”

They argue that Denmark is unable to secure the Arctic region in the face of Russian and Chinese threats – a threat echoed by Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee. is called imaginary Over the weekend.

“Denmark cannot defend that land from Russia or China,” Mr Trump wrote, ignoring the fact that, for nearly 80 years, ever since the United States and its European allies committed to the principle of joint security with NATO’s founding treaty, Greenland’s security has been a shared responsibility.

In the note, Mr Trump, as he has done before, questioned Denmark’s right to any claim on Greenland, arguing that the basis for it was simply that “a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we also had boats land there.”

Denmark became the colonial power in Greenland in the early 18th century, about 50 years before the United States became a sovereign nation with its navy. Greenland remained a Danish colony until 1953, when the island received its current semi-autonomy.

Greenland has a small population of about 60,000, but its leaders and citizens have made it clear that they don’t want to join the US.

Norway’s leader responded to Trump’s message

The Norwegian government shared a statement on Monday from Prime Minister Store in which he confirmed that he received Mr Trump’s message on Sunday afternoon.

He said it came in response to a text message he sent with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

“In our message to Trump, we expressed our protest over his announced tariff increases against Norway, Finland and select other countries,” Storey said in a statement. “We described the need to de-escalate tensions and proposed a telephone conversation between Trump, Stubbs and me that same day. Shortly after sending the message, Trump responded. “He said it was Mr. Trump’s decision “to share his message with other NATO leaders.”

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

He further said, “As far as the Nobel Peace Prize is concerned, I have clearly explained to everyone, including President Trump, what is well known: that the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not by the government of Norway.”

British leader suspects Trump will use US military to occupy Greenland

Mr. Trump surprised America’s NATO allies over the weekend by threatening to impose new tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries if they continue to reject his demands to annex Greenland.

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

He said they are ready to engage in negotiations “based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity behind which we stand firmly” and warned that threats of tariffs “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous deterioration.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has maintained a good relationship with Mr Trump and spoke to him by phone on Sunday, acknowledged in televised comments on Monday morning that the Arctic region will need greater attention, greater investment, and a stronger collective defence. He said the US would be at the centre of that effort, and the UK stands ready to contribute fully to our allies through NATO.

“But there is a principle here that cannot be sidelined, because it depends on how stable and reliable international cooperation is, and therefore any decision about the future status of Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone,” Starmer said.

“Denmark is a close ally of the UK and the US – a proud NATO member that has stood shoulder to shoulder with us in recent decades, including at very real human cost,” Starmer said, pointing to Danish troops fighting alongside US and British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the NATO alliance.

He said, “Alliances last because they are built on respect and partnership, not coercion. That’s why I said using tariffs against allies is completely wrong. Such an approach is not the right way to resolve differences within the alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland’s security as a justification for economic pressure.” “A trade war is in no one’s interest.”

Regarding Mr. Trump’s consideration of using US forces to seize territory from the NATO ally, Starmer said he believed that would not happen.

“Actually, I don’t do that,” he said. “I think this can and should be resolved through a calm discussion, but with the application of the principles I have set out in terms of who gets to decide the future of Greenland.”