A surprising phone call from US President Donald Trump to Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg has sparked significant media attention. During the conversation, which occurred while Stoltenberg was walking in Oslo, Trump discussed tariffs and expressed interest in the Nobel Peace Prize. Stoltenberg confirmed the call but refrained from commenting on Trump’s remarks regarding the prestigious award.
The details of the call were first reported by the Norwegian newspaper Dagens Næringsliv and have reignited speculation about Trump’s aspirations for the Nobel Peace Prize. The award, which recognizes significant contributions to global peace, is due to be announced on October 10, 2023, by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, an independent group chosen by the Norwegian Parliament.
Trump’s push for the prize comes as he prepares for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. European leaders have expressed concerns regarding Trump’s ability to secure a favorable outcome in these negotiations. In a recent online meeting with these leaders, Trump assured them that he would not make territorial concessions without Ukraine’s involvement in the decision-making process.
In the lead-up to Trump’s meeting with Putin, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London to demonstrate European solidarity. The meeting, held at 10 Downing Street, was strategically timed to avoid any comments that could create tension with Trump before his summit in Alaska. Similarly, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had hosted Zelensky for a show of unity just a day earlier.
Reports indicate that Stoltenberg’s discussion with Trump occurred during a sensitive period in US-Norway relations, as Trump was preparing to impose a new tariff of 15 percent on Norway, a decision announced on July 31, 2023. Norway is not a member of the European Union, which adds a layer of complexity to the discussions.
Stoltenberg confirmed the call in a statement to Politico, stating, “It is true that President Trump called me a few days before his conversation with Prime Minister Janus Store.” While Stoltenberg acknowledged the conversation, he did not delve into whether Trump explicitly stated his desire for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The White House previously asserted that Trump is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to facilitate peace agreements in various regions. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, noted on August 1, 2023, that Trump had successfully negotiated peace initiatives involving Thailand and Cambodia, Pakistan and India, and Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others. She claimed that he had “brokered, on average, about one peace deal or ceasefire per month” during his presidency.
In recent months, Trump has garnered support for his Nobel nomination from various international leaders. During a meeting in July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handed Trump a letter nominating him for the prize. Similarly, the government of Pakistan announced its intent to nominate Trump in June, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his support for Trump’s candidacy last week.
The conversation between Trump and Stoltenberg has raised questions about the potential influence of international diplomacy on the Nobel Prize deliberations. With leaders from both Azerbaijan and Armenia praising Trump’s role in fostering peace during their recent White House appearance, the focus on his peace efforts is likely to intensify as the announcement date for the Nobel Peace Prize approaches.
As the world awaits the committee’s decision, the implications of Trump’s phone call and his ongoing diplomatic engagements will be closely scrutinized, particularly in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.
