- Trump has repeated his demand for control of Greenland, linking the threats to his Nobel Peace Prize snub
Donald Trump says Europe should focus on the war in Ukraine, not Greenland, and insisted he will follow through with his tariff plan.
In a brief telephone interview with our US network NBC News, Trump said he will “100%” hit European nations with tariffs if a deal cannot be made over Greenland.
“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.”
Asked if he would use force to seize Greenland, the president said: “No comment”.
Trump also dismissed the idea that Norway has no sway over the Nobel Peace Prize competition and that the decision is entirely up to the committee.
He earlier sent an astonishing letter to the Norwegian prime minister, insisting he no longer feels obligated “to think purely of peace” because he had not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (see 14.08 post).
“Norway totally controls it, despite what they say. They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything thing to do with it,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, the letter from US President Donald Trump to the Prime Minister of Norway over his demand to take “complete and total control of Greenland” is extraordinary.
In it, the US leader rails against the decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize and repeats his threats over Greenland.
Here is the full text:
Dear Jonas,
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.
Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway?
There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also.
I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States.
The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.
Thank you!
President DJT
Mr Trump’s message was issued in response to a text he received from Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.
Mr Stoere sent the message on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
In it, he wrote: “Dear Mr President, dear Donald – on the contact across the Atlantic – on Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine – and your tariff announcement yesterday.
“You know our position on these issues. But we believe we all should work to take this down and de-escalate – so much is happening around us where we need to stand together.
“We are proposing a call with you later today – with both of us or separately – give us a hint of what you prefer! Best – Alex and Jonas.”
Written with reports from Sky News
