In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter that appears to be unusual in its diplomatic nature to Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. The letter has caused shock among world leaders, uncertainty in global markets and increased tensions between the United States and its European allies.
The letter, which many observers believe will be shared among NATO capitals, links Trump’s long-running dispute with Greenland, his gripe regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, and the U.S.’s long-term strategy for the Arctic, all within the same letter to a close ally. Read the article to get more information regarding Trump’s letter.
The purpose of this article is to provide clarity regarding the contents of Trump’s letter, provide readers with an understanding of why this letter is so important, and explain how Norway has responded to it. Additionally, this article will address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this highly controversial document and its potential impact internationally.
What does the letter convey?
The Central Message
In the correspondence, which was technically transmitted via text message but widely disseminated through the U.S. National Security Council to other European nations, Trump addressed Prime Minister Støre:
“Given that your nation chose not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize for having halted 8 wars PLUS, I no longer feel compelled to focus solely on peace, although it will always remain a priority, but can now consider what is beneficial and appropriate for the United States of America.”
He subsequently connected this personal grievance to the strategic issue concerning Greenland:
- He challenged Denmark’s claim to sovereignty over Greenland, asserting that it could not safeguard the island from Russia or China.
- He contended that there are no “written documents” affirming Denmark’s authority and stated that the U.S. should possess “complete and total control” of Greenland to ensure global security.
The letter underscored Trump’s belief that he has contributed more to NATO than anyone since its inception and implied that its members should now endorse the U.S. stance on Greenland.
Complaint of the Nobel Peace Prize
Trump began his comments with a grievance that Norway “decided not to award” him the Nobel Peace Prize, which he claimed he earned for ending eight wars. It should be noted that Norway does not give out the Nobel Peace Prize; instead, this is handled by an independent Nobel Committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. Prime Minister Støre pointed out this difference in his responses to reporters.
Reasons Trump Sent the Letter
Strategically Important Territory
Trump sent the letter because Greenland is an unincorporated territory of Denmark, which has great strategic value in the Arctic because of its location, as well as the possible natural resources, and military importance to Russia and China. He has made multiple statements about the U.S. needing to acquire Greenland to protect the country’s national security and most recently indicated that acquiring Greenland “one way or another” was a possibility.
The letter indicates Trump views Greenland as an essential component of U.S. national security and questions the validity of Denmark’s rights to control it. He makes a suggestion that, without the written authority from Denmark justifying their control of the area, they do not have the legal authority to control it.
Blending Personal Grievance with Foreign Policy Objectives
Trump publicly connected his disappointment at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize to his changing views toward focusing exclusively on peace. In the letter, he expresses that being denied the Nobel Peace Prize has allowed him to change his focus back toward the United States and put the United States’ interests first; many analysts see this connection between personal grievances and foreign policy methods.
