The prime minister of Norway says President Trump cited the Nobel Prize as a purpose for not pursuing a peaceable decision on Greenland.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
President Trump stated the truth that he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize is affecting his strategy to pursuing Greenland. In a textual content launched by the prime minister of Norway, Trump stated that he now not feels, quote, “an obligation to suppose purely of peace, though it would at all times be predominant.” NPR White Home correspondent, Danielle Kurtzleben has been masking all of the backwards and forwards over the U.S. curiosity within the Danish territory and joins us now. Hello, Danielle.
DANIELLE KURTZLEBEN, BYLINE: Hey. Good afternoon.
CHANG: Hey. OK. So we all know that President Trump has been getting an increasing number of vocal about making an attempt to amass Greenland. However what extra will we learn about this entire textual content alternate with the prime minister of Norway?
KURTZLEBEN: Nicely, most of what we learn about this we have realized from the Norwegian prime minister himself, Jonas Gahr. In an announcement, Gahr stated that he first texted Trump on behalf of himself and the president of Finland to say that they opposed some tariffs that Trump not too long ago threatened in a cellphone name with him. After which Trump responded saying, as you famous, that since he, Trump, did not get the Nobel Peace Prize, he’s now not pondering, quote, “purely of peace.” Which is itself outstanding as a result of Trump not too long ago attacked Venezuela and deposed its chief with a view to take management of its oil. In order that form of undermines that he is at all times pondering of peace. However at any charge, the White Home continues to insist that Trump is the president of peace and deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump additionally ended his textual content message to the Norwegian prime minister by saying that the U.S. ought to management Greenland.
CHANG: I imply, that is gorgeous as a result of these…
KURTZLEBEN: Sure.
CHANG: …Are longstanding allyships that Trump is threatening to upend right here.
KURTZLEBEN: Completely. And upend them partially as a result of he did not get a prize that he needed.
CHANG: Proper.
KURTZLEBEN: Now, in fact, because the Norwegian prime minister stated in his assertion, Norway doesn’t even give the Nobel Prizes. That is an unbiased committee. And all of this comes only a few days after the newest winner of the Peace Prize, Venezuela’s María Corina Machado, gifted her prize to Trump on the White Home. The Nobel Committee, in the meantime, has stated the glory will not be transferable.
CHANG: OK. Notice to self. The tensions, although, I imply, they’re clearly excessive. What else are we listening to from the White Home on this?
KURTZLEBEN: Nicely, let’s begin with these tariffs I discussed that the Norwegian prime minister was texting about. On Saturday, Trump posted that he’s going to impose 10% tariffs on items from eight European international locations beginning February 1, then elevate that tariff to 25% in June. And Trump stated he’ll maintain these on till a deal is reached for the U.S. to amass Greenland. Now, I’ve requested the White Home, by the best way, for any extra info. What regulation authorizes this? Is an govt order coming? We’ve not heard something again but. However these eight European international locations have stated that they stand in full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, and so they added that tariff threats undermine transatlantic cooperation.
Now, as well as, Trump made one other seemingly threatening submit final night time that Denmark hasn’t been capable of maintain the Russian risk away from Greenland. And subsequently, quote, “now it’s time and will probably be accomplished,” which, in fact, raises the query of what he means by that.
CHANG: Precisely. OK. Nicely, let’s look forward. I imply, Trump is, in fact, heading to Europe this week for the World Financial Discussion board in Davos. What are we anticipating there, you suppose?
KURTZLEBEN: Nicely, the theme of Davos this 12 months is a spirit of dialogue, which you’ll see as form of grimly humorous, given all this context. However we count on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to talk Tuesday. Trump will communicate Wednesday. We do not have a full sense of what he’ll talk about, however the Nationwide Financial Council director, Kevin Hassett, has recommended he will likely be unveiling a housing coverage plan. So we’ll see.
CHANG: All proper. That’s NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben. Thanks, Danielle.
KURTZLEBEN: Thanks.
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