Donald Trump reportedly surprised a top Norwegian official by asking about winning the country’s Nobel Peace Prize — during the same call where he talked about tariffs on Norway.
According to Norwegian outlet Dagens Næringsliv, Trump called Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg in July. During the call, he brought up both his interest in the Nobel Peace Prize and trade tariffs. The Nobel Peace Prize is given out by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is chosen by Norway’s parliament.
“Out of the blue, while Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg was walking down the street in Oslo, Donald Trump called,” DN reported. “He wanted the Nobel Prize — and to discuss tariffs.”
Trump has often complained publicly that he has not received the award, which has gone to four U.S. presidents in the past: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.
On July 31, Trump announced a 15% tariff on Norwegian imports. However, Stoltenberg later said that tariff talks between the U.S. and Norway were still ongoing.
After DN reported the unusual conversation, Politico confirmed with a Norwegian government official that the call really happened.
Stoltenberg explained to Politico that the call happened before Trump spoke with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were also involved.
“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,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.
Trump has already been nominated for the award by Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia. Leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Rwanda have also supported him, Newsweek reported.
The Nobel Peace Prize is given each year to a person or group that has done important work “for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses,” according to its official website.
This year, there are 338 candidates for the prize. The nomination deadline was January 31, and the winner will be announced in October.
