OSLO — In an unexpected and unannounced call last month, President Trump phoned Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, reportedly inquiring about his prospects for the Nobel Peace Prize—alongside discussing trade tariffs and economic cooperation, Norwegian press reported on Thursday.
“Out of the blue … he wanted the Nobel Prize—and to discuss tariffs,” Stoltenberg later acknowledged, though he declined to elaborate.
A Spontaneous Diplomatic Outreach
Sources tell that the call occurred as Stoltenberg was walking in Oslo, with senior U.S. officials—Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer—on the line. Trump has previously cited his facilitating of peace agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and between India and Pakistan, as reasons he merits the Peace Prize.
Reflection of His Peace Campaign
Trump has long held a belief that he deserves the award—something he has expressed publicly on multiple occasions. While nominations are confidential for 50 years, media reports confirm that nations such as Israel, Pakistan, and Cambodia have put him forward.
Nobel Process & Norway’s Role
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each October by a committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament. Stoltenberg’s confirmation of the call—though limited—is rare and indicates the outreach’s unusual nature. The White House and the Norwegian Nobel Committee have yet to comment.