Stere confirmed that he had indeed received a letter from Trump, in which he, according to media reports, linked the desire to establish control over Greenland with not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Prime Minister noted that it was Trump's decision to share the letter with other leaders.
Stere reiterated that he “fully supports” Denmark's position that Greenland is part of its territory and opposes increased US tariffs against Norway and seven other countries.
“I have made clear, including to President Trump, what is well known: the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not by the Norwegian government,” Støre said in a statement.
Trump has been nominated more than once for the Nobel Peace Prize, but has not yet received it. Axios wrote that the US president has been “obsessed” with winning the Nobel Peace Prize for years. Trump has publicly stated that he is not seeking to receive it, but it would be a “great insult” for the United States if he did not receive the award.
On October 10, 2025, the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. On January 15, 2026, she stated that she “gave” Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal during their meeting. In response, the Nobel Committee stated that Trump did not become the owner of the Machado Prize.
Context
Trump has repeatedly repeated that the United States must gain control of Greenland, otherwise it will allegedly be captured by China and the Russian Federation. He also said that the US could use military force to take over Greenland.
On January 13, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that between the United States and Denmark, the country chooses Denmark and “does not want” to belong to, be part of, or be governed by the United States.
Against the backdrop of statements by the American president, a number of countries, including Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Finland, sent military personnel to Greenland for reconnaissance purposes in preparation for military exercises. In response to this, on January 17, Trump announced, starting February 1, a 10% tariff on any goods supplied to the United States by these NATO countries. And from June 1, these duties will be increased to 25%, Trump noted. According to him, they will act until an agreement is reached on the “full and final purchase of Greenland” by the United States.
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement noting that such actions by the American president undermine transatlantic relations.
