Trump defiant as NATO rages over Greenland "blackmail" tariffs
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President Trump speaks on the South Lawn of the White House on Jan. 16. Photo: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump warned European leaders that he no longer feels "an obligation to think purely of Peace," as his quest to take control of Greenland pushes NATO to the brink.
Why it matters: U.S. allies are outraged, but Trump isn't budging. His escalating aggression over the self-governing Danish territory is thrusting NATO into crisis — all for a takeover push that most Americans don't support.
- Trump's steep tariffs on several U.S. allies until a deal is reached to purchase Greenland sparked anger among European leaders. The levies are set to take effect Feb. 1.
Driving the news: Trump drew a link between his perceived Nobel Prize snub and his Greenland push in a message confirmed by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
- "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, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America," Trump wrote in the message, the text of which was obtained by PBS News and confirmed by Støre.
- Trump claimed that he had "done more for NATO than any other person since its founding" and that "NATO should do something for the United States," concluding the "World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland."
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Monday.
State of play: Støre said Trump's comments came after the Norwegian leader expressed his opposition to the new tariff threats.
- "Norway's position on Greenland is clear," Støre said in a statement. "Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter."
- Separately, Germany said Trump's latest threat crossed a red line. "We are constantly experiencing new antagonism, which President Trump is seeking, and here we Europeans must make it clear that the limit has been reached," German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil reportedly told journalists Monday.
- Klingbeil's rebuke echoes the criticism that flowed from many of America's closest allies over the president's planned import taxes that multiple leaders decried as blackmail.
The big picture: Trump has aggravated U.S. allies despite clear domestic opposition to his Greenland takeover bid.
- Seven in 10 U.S. adults surveyed said they disapprove of Trump using federal funds to try to purchase Greenland, according to a CBS News-YouGov poll.
- An overwhelming majority — 86% — disapprove of using force to obtain the territory.
What we're watching: Trump is due to address the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.
Go deeper: Trump's Greenland threats put transatlantic alliance on death watch
Methodology: The CBS News-YouGov poll of 2,523 U.S. adults was conducted Jan. 14-16 and has a margin of error of ±2.3 points.
