Trump warns he no longer thinks ‘purely of peace’ in Greenland campaign, as Europe denounces tariff threats and plans a response.
NUUK: Donald Trump has warned he no longer feels obliged to think “purely of peace” after being snubbed for a Nobel prize.
The US president made the statement as he escalated his campaign to gain control of Greenland.
In a text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Trump questioned Denmark’s rule over the Arctic island.
He said he wanted “complete and total control of” Greenland.
The message followed Trump’s threat of hefty new tariffs on European allies opposing his plan.
German and French leaders denounced the tariff threats as “blackmail”.
Denmark has proposed that NATO begin surveillance operations in Greenland to address security concerns.
France stated Europe was preparing trade countermeasures against the US.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned such retaliation would be “very unwise”.
The European Union will hold an emergency summit on Thursday to weigh its response.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the tariff threat does not change its stance.
“We will not be pressured,” Nielsen said in a Facebook post.
He added that Greenland “is a democratic society with the right to make its own decisions”.
In his message, Trump cited his failure to win last year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
He said peace would still be “predominant” but he could now think about US interests.
Store said he had conveyed opposition to Trump’s tariff threats in a prior message.
He clarified that the Nobel prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government.
Bessent dismissed any link between the Prize and Trump’s plans for Greenland.
Trump claims the US needs mineral-rich Greenland for “national security”.
“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China,” Trump said in his message.
He questioned Denmark’s historical “right of ownership” over the territory.
Denmark’s defence minister met with NATO chief Mark Rutte to propose Greenland surveillance.
Rutte said they discussed the Arctic’s importance to collective security.
NORAD aircraft will arrive “soon” at the US Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for planned activities.
Trump said a 10% tariff would be imposed on several European nations from February 1.
Germany’s vice chancellor Lars Klingbeil slammed the move as blackmail.
European stock markets fell following the announcement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned a “trade war is in no one’s interest”.
