President Donald Trump explicitly tied his administration's push for U.S. control of Greenland to being denied the Nobel Peace Prize, in a letter circulated to European leaders. The message, addressed to Norway's Prime Minister, was forwarded to multiple EU ambassadors in Washington, according to PBS reporting. Trump wrote that the Nobel snub freed him from diplomatic obligations.

The letter frames Greenland as vital to global security, claiming Denmark cannot defend it from Russia or China and questioning its historical sovereignty. Trump argued the U.S. must have "complete and total control" of the Arctic territory and linked the issue to NATO, suggesting the alliance owes the U.S. for his contributions. This rhetoric has escalated recently.

European allies have firmly rejected any notion of selling Greenland, warning that a U.S. seizure would severely damage transatlantic relations. The letter's circulation among diplomats underscores deep concern in allied capitals over Trump's aggressive framing. This geopolitical tension is already influencing markets, with spot gold hitting record highs amid the tariff threats over Greenland.