Donald Trump has linked his drive to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he no longer thought "purely of peace" as the row over the island threatened to reignite a trade war with Europe.
Asked by NBC News in a brief telephone interview on Monday if he would use force to seize Greenland, the US president said: "No comment."
He added that he would "100 per cent" follow through on plans to hit European nations with a slew of new tariffs if they did not strike a deal to hand Greenland over to the US.
"Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them," he said. “That’s what Europe should focus on — not Greenland."
The comments came after Norway released messages from Mr Trump — addressed to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre — referring to the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year.
"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," Mr Trump said.
Mr Støre had sent an initial message on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, calling for the de-escalation of tensions and suggesting a call, which elicited a response from Mr Trump less than half an hour later.
"I have repeatedly clearly explained to Trump that it is an independent committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize," he said.
[link tweet]The president also repeated his demand for control of Greenland in the message, which was first reported by PBS journalist Nick Schifrin.
Europe reacts to Trump's threats
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that he did not think Mr Trump was considering military action in Greenland.
"On Greenland, the right way to approach an issue of this seriousness is through calm discussion between allies," Sir Keir said at a press conference on the Arctic island.
"A tariff war is in nobody's interests."
The Kremlin said it was hard to disagree with experts who said Mr Trump would go down in the history of the United States and the world if he took control of Greenland.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he was not discussing whether such a step would be good or bad, but was simply stating a fact.
On Saturday, Mr Trump said he would charge a 10 per cent import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland.
Both France and Germany said on Monday that European powers would not be blackmailed.
The Group of Seven (G7) countries are expected to discuss trade and sovereignty "in the coming days".
"We are fully supportive of Greenland and Denmark,"' France's Finance Minister Roland Lescure said.
"Blackmail between allies of 250 years, blackmail between friends, is obviously unacceptable."
White House downplays Nobel snub
Further talks between Mr Trump and European leaders are expected when the US president arrives in Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum later this week.
Mr Trump is expected to deliver the keynote address, and both Mr Gahr Støre and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have indicated they were available to discuss Greenland with him.
Amid European concern over the president's comments, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it would be "very unwise" for European governments to retaliate.
Mr Bessent also sought to push back on suggestions Mr Trump was only seeking Greenland because he was not recognised by the Nobel committee.
"I think it’s a complete canard that the president will be doing this because of the Nobel prize," he said.
"The president is looking at Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States."
ABC/Wires
