US President Donald Trump has criticised Norway and said he does not want Norwegian immigrants entering the United States after failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, Trump attacked the country over the Nobel Committee’s decision to award this year’s prize to South African judge and former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay.
“Frankly, Norway sucks. Norway has become a [expletive] country, actually,” Trump told supporters.
The president, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, previously described the committee’s decision as “a disgraceful and embarrassing decision”.
Trump also suggested that Norwegian immigrants should not be welcomed into the US because of the award.
“So I don’t want anybody from Norway,” he said, linking his remarks to the Nobel Prize decision.
However, there has been no official announcement of any changes to US immigration policy affecting Norwegian citizens.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide responded on Monday, stressing that the Nobel Committee operates independently of the Norwegian government.
“He knows very well that the Nobel Committee is independent. We have reminded him of that, in case anyone is wondering – and that is still the case,” Eide told broadcaster NRK.
