Trump says Greenland shouldn’t be Danish just because ‘a boat landed there 300 years ago’

Donald Trump has warned he is no longer thinking ‘purely of peace’ over Greenland after he was denied the Nobel Peace Prize.

In a bizarre text message to Norway’s Prime Minister, the US President said Denmark was not entitled to own Greenland just because ‘a boat landed there hundreds of years ago’.

He doubled down on demands to take over the autonomous territory, claiming Denmark could not ‘protect the land from Russia or China’.

The message ratchets up the war of words between the US and Nato after Trump vowed to impose 10% tariffs on the UK and other allies over their stance on Greenland.

Donald Trump was unhappy with Jonas Gahr Store’s opposition to Trump tariffs (Picture: by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said he received the text message from Trump after he expressed his opposition to the threat of new tariffs against Norway and other European countries.

Trump then shared the message with other Nato leaders, he added.

Referencing Trump’s letter,Støre stressed the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee.

Støre said: ‘Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter.

‘We also support that NATO in a responsible way is taking steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic.

‘As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to president Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.’

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was handed the Nobel Peace Prize in December last year despite a public campaign by Trump.

However Machado handed her peace over to Trump in the Oval Office in January – much to Trump’s delight.

The Norwegian Nobel Peace Committee appeared dismayed by the move, saying the honour cannot be passed on or shared with anyone else.

Trump sent the text message on same day he spoke with Sir Keir Starmer about his plans for Greenland.

The US president announced last week that he would place 10% tariffs on the UK, increased to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

Speaking at an emergency press conference this morning, Sir Keir said he does not believe Donald Trump is prepared to use military force to seize Greenland.

He also labelled the US president’s threat to impose tariffs on the UK ‘completely wrong’ and instead called for ‘calm discussions’.

‘It is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland security as a justification for economic pressure,’ Sir Keir added.

ir Keir also held calls on Sunday with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

In a joint statement warning about the potential impact of such a move, theeight affected NATO countries warned Trump’s actions could create a ‘dangerous downward spiral’.

They said: ‘We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.

‘Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.

‘Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.’