Edith Hejberg
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly phoned Norway’s finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO Secretary General, to discuss tariffs.
According to Dagens Næringsliv, the call quickly veered into surprising territory: Trump also asked about the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Out of the Blue”: Trump’s Call Catches Oslo Off Guard
The Norwegian daily cited anonymous sources saying the call came “out of the blue” while Stoltenberg was walking down a street in Oslo.
Trump, it seems, had two things on his mind, trade policy and the Nobel Peace Prize.
Not Just Business: Trump’s Nobel Curiosity
Though the official purpose of the call was to address U.S.–Norwegian trade tariffs, Trump allegedly shifted focus to ask about the Nobel Prize.
The newspaper claims this isn’t the first time Trump has raised the topic in conversations with Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg Keeps It Vague
Pressed on whether Trump brought up the prize, Stoltenberg declined to go into detail. “I won’t go into detail about the content of the conversation,” he told reporters, confirming only that trade and economic cooperation were discussed.
U.S. Officials Joined the Call
Stoltenberg added that multiple senior U.S. officials were also on the line, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The group reportedly discussed tariffs ahead of a separate Trump call with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Trump and the Nobel Prize: An Ongoing Fascination
Trump has long voiced interest in winning the Nobel Peace Prize, often pointing to international negotiations and peace efforts under his administration.
Countries such as Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia have nominated him in the past.
Four Presidents Before Him Have Won It
Trump’s ambition isn’t unprecedented, four of his predecessors, including Barack Obama and Theodore Roosevelt, have received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump has frequently argued he deserves the same recognition.
How the Nobel Peace Prize Is Decided
Despite Trump’s interest, the process remains highly independent.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a five-member Norwegian committee appointed by the national parliament. Hundreds of nominations are submitted each year.
October Reveal: The World Waits
The Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2025 will be announced in Oslo this October.
So far, the Nobel Committee has remained tight-lipped, declining to comment on whether Trump is among this year’s candidates.
U.S.–Norway Tariff Talks Still Ongoing
Meanwhile, Stoltenberg confirmed that negotiations over U.S. tariffs on Norwegian imports continue.
The U.S. recently imposed a 15% tariff, aligning with similar actions taken against the EU, despite Norway not being an EU member.
