Trump begs for a Nobel? President rings up Norway's finance minister in secret call - here's what they discussed

Economic Times

a day ago

Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Donald Trump Nobel Peace Prize: With the aim of diplomacy or self-promotion, US president Donald Trump personally called Norway's Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg last month in a sudden and unexpected phone call that touched on trade tariffs, economic cooperation and his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as per a report.But this wasn't the first time Trump brought up the Nobel Prize with Stoltenberg, who previously served as the NATO secretary-general and now plays a key role in Norway's economic and political circles, as per a Politico report.
Stoltenberg confirmed that he and the US president had spoken, saying, 'It is true that President Trump called me a few days before his conversation with Prime Minister Støre. Several of the president's staff members also participated in the conversation, including Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Greer,' as quoted in the report.While Stoltenberg kept tight-lipped about specifics, he said the conversation focused on tariffs and economic cooperation, saying, 'We discussed tariffs, economic cooperation, and it served as preparation for his call with Prime Minister Støre. I will not go into further detail about the content of the conversation," as quoted by Politico.
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The idea of Trump lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize directly with Norwegian officials has left many in Oslo and beyond taken aback, as it is no secret that the prize is awarded by a committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament, according to the report. The Norwegian Nobel Committee selects laureates from hundreds of nominees each year, and then its five members, appointed by Norway's parliament in line with the instructions of 19th-century Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, announce the winners every October in Oslo, as reported by Politico.ALSO READ: Opendoor CEO Carrie Wheeler quits suddenly, stock jumps 9% as Shrisha Radhakrishna steps in as new presidentThe US president even complained during a February meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office that, 'They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize,' adding, 'It's too bad. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me,' as quoted in the report.Even the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that it's 'well past time' that Trump wins the award during a press briefing on July 31, as reported by Politico.
ALSO READ: Mystery Bitcoin investor turns $50 into millions with mind-blowing 59,999,900% return - here's his story Meanwhile, many countries, including Israel, Pakistan and Cambodia, have already nominated Trump for brokering peace agreements or ceasefires since he started his second term as the US president in January, according to the report.Trump has also claimed credit for bringing down tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan after skirmishes earlier this year and last week had hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington to address ending decades of hostilities, as reported by Politico.
In case Trump wins, he would become the fifth United States president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, following Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and his long-time rival Barack Obama, according to the Politico report.
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Has Trump been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize?Yes, countries like Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia have submitted nominations based on his diplomatic efforts, as per the Politico report.
What peace efforts has Trump been involved in recently? He's hosted talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and claimed to have helped reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, as per the Politico report.