"I'm not obliged to think of peace": Trump escalates Greenland pressure on Denmark and EU
U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his renewed strategic offensive to seize control of Greenland to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking to NBC News, Trump suggested that since he was passed over for the award, he is no longer "obliged to think simply in terms of peace," but rather what is "good and right for the United States."
The statements have reignited tensions with European allies and risk triggering a massive transatlantic trade war. Trump refused to rule out the use of force to secure the territory but confirmed that the U.S. will impose progressive tariffs on several European nations starting February 1.
The Nobel snub and the "Peace" ultimatum
In a message sent Sunday to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump expressed his frustration with the Nobel Committee. The committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado instead of the American president.
The Norwegian government made the messages public, revealing Trump’s shift in diplomatic philosophy. He stated that Norway’s decision to deny him the prize freed him from the constraints of "peaceful thinking" regarding territorial acquisitions.
Escalating economic and military pressure
The proposed tariffs target Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Trump stated these measures will remain in place until the U.S. is "allowed to purchase Greenland," a strategic Arctic territory with approximately 57,000 inhabitants.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen firmly rejected the ultimatum. "The year is 2026," Rasmussen stated. "You can trade goods, but you do not trade people."
Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, insisted the territory must decide its own future. "We will not accept pressure; we rely on dialogue, respect, and international law," Nielsen said.
Europe prepares for retaliation
European Union leaders are scheduled to meet this Thursday in Brussels to finalize a response. Options include the automatic reintroduction of tariffs worth €93 billion on U.S. imports.
The EU may also activate its Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI). This mechanism could severely restrict American firms' access to public procurement, investments, and financial services within the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled a preference for diplomacy but maintained a firm stance. Merz, who plans to meet Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, noted that while Europe does not seek conflict, it is "fully capable of responding."
The dispute threatens the stability of NATO, already strained by the war in Ukraine and Trump’s persistent criticism of allied defense spending. As the rhetoric intensifies, the Danish military has deployed troops to Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland as part of the "Arctic Endurance" exercise.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
