In a recent revelation, it has been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump expressed an interest in the Nobel Peace Prize during a phone call with Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg. This unexpected conversation occurred last month while Stoltenberg was strolling through Oslo. The Norwegian financial news outlet, Dagens Naeringsliv, disclosed that Trump wanted to discuss the prestigious award alongside topics related to tariffs.
Stoltenberg later confirmed to Reuters that the focus of their dialogue was primarily on tariffs and economic cooperation, particularly in light of an upcoming call between Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Store. He noted that several officials from the White House, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, were also part of the discussion but refrained from providing further details regarding its content.
Despite inquiries, neither the White House nor the Norwegian Nobel Committee offered any comments on the matter. The Nobel Prize, awarded annually, is determined by a committee of five people, selecting recipients from numerous nominations, with the winners announced each October.
Trump’s aspirations for the Nobel Peace Prize stem from his role in negotiating various peace deals and ceasefires; several nations, including Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia, have put forward his name for consideration. Interestingly, this is not the first time Trump has broached the subject of the Nobel Prize with Stoltenberg, who previously held the position of NATO Secretary-General.
Historically, three U.S. presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the most recent being Barack Obama, who received it in 2009. As the news continues to circulate, it highlights the ongoing intersection of international diplomacy and the recognition that comes with such prestigious awards.