Former U.S. President Donald Trump once said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. He spoke proudly about the peace deals he helped create. From North Korea to the Middle East, Trump claimed he brought calm to troubled places. But behind the smiles and handshakes, many experts and world leaders began to wonder; was Trump chasing peace, or chasing a prize?
Some say Trump’s strong desire to win the Nobel Prize may have hurt America’s allies. Let’s take a closer look.
What Is the Nobel Peace Prize?
Nobel Prize of Peace is one of the most famous awards in the world. It is given to a person or an organization every year who is doing all it can to make the world be a peaceful place. It began in 1901, and it is awarded in Norway and not in Sweden as the rest of the Nobel Prizes. Nobel Prizes are awarded to many great people such as mother Teresa, Malala Yousafzai and Barack Obama. They laboured to serve others and to offer peace. Donald Trump also wanted to win this prize. He believed that the things he did for peace were enough to get this big honor and be added to the list of well-known Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Trump and His Public Love for the Nobel Prize
While in office, Trump often talked about the prize.
- In 2018, he said, “I think I’ll get the Nobel Prize for a lot of things if they gave it out fairly.”
- He later said his efforts in the Middle East were “much more deserving” than past winners.
Trump supporters even nominated him for the prize multiple times. However, he never received it.
Still, his efforts to win it shaped many of his foreign policy decisions — and sometimes, those choices upset America’s friends.
What Are Allies and Why Do They Matter?
Allies are countries that trust and support each other. They often:
- Work together in war and peace.
- Share intelligence.
- Help in emergencies and disasters.
- Make global decisions together.
The United States has several key allies, such as:
- South Korea
- Japan
- United Kingdom
- European Union
- Israel
- NATO members
When a U.S. president makes big choices, these countries are usually involved or informed. But under Trump, many felt ignored or surprised by his actions.
Trump’s North Korea Meetings Left South Korea Worried
One of Donald Trump’s biggest actions as president was meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He was the first U.S. president to meet Kim in person. Trump even said that he and Kim “fell in love” after they exchanged letters. They met three times, hoping to stop North Korea from making nuclear weapons. But South Korea, who is a close friend and partner of the U.S., was not happy. South Korean leaders felt they were left out of the talks.
They were worried because North Korea still kept its weapons, and nothing much changed. Trump’s friendly way of talking to Kim made South Korea feel nervous. Many experts believed that the meetings were more for news and media rather than real peace. Some South Korean officials thought Trump was more focused on winning the Nobel Peace Prize than solving the real problems. They felt peace talks should be serious, not just for show.
The Abraham Accords: A Peace Deal With Mixed Results
In 2020, Trump announced the Abraham Accords — peace agreements between Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
This was seen as a big win for diplomacy.
- Arab countries and Israel agreed to open embassies.
- They started trade, flights, and business deals.
Trump said it was one of the biggest peace deals ever and believed it made him worthy of the Nobel Prize.
But what was the cost?
- The deal did not include Palestine.
- Palestinian leaders felt betrayed by the U.S.
- It created anger in parts of the Arab world.
Even in 2025, the Israel-Palestine conflict continues. Some say the U.S. is no longer seen as a fair peace helper in the region because of these deals.
Pulling Out of the Iran Nuclear Deal Hurt European Allies
When Donald Trump was president, one of his biggest moves was meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He became the first U.S. president to meet Kim in person. Trump even said that he and Kim “fell in love” after they sent letters to each other. They met three times to try and stop North Korea from making dangerous nuclear weapons. But South Korea, a close friend of the U.S., was not happy.
South Korean leaders felt left out and worried because North Korea still had its weapons. They didn’t see much change. Trump’s friendly talks with Kim made them feel uneasy. Many experts said the meetings looked more like a show for the news instead of real efforts for peace. Some South Korean leaders believed Trump wanted the Nobel Peace Prize so badly that he forgot what really mattered. They thought peace talks should be serious and not just for fame or praise.
Trump’s Comments on NATO Made Allies Nervous
NATO is a group of 30 countries that promise to protect each other.
- Created after World War II.
- The U.S. is the biggest and most powerful member.
Trump often complained about NATO.
- He said other countries weren’t paying enough.
- He warned that the U.S. might stop helping if they didn’t pay more.
This made NATO members; like Germany, France, and Canada; feel unsure and unsafe.
Leaders said it was not just about money; it was about trust. Many began asking, “Can we still rely on the U.S.?”
The Taliban Deal and Afghanistan Exit Shocked Allies
Trump also made a deal with the Taliban to end America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan.
- He wanted U.S. troops to come home.
- The deal asked the Taliban to stop attacks and talk to the Afghan government.
But allies were worried.
- The Taliban did not keep all their promises.
- The Afghan government was left out of some talks.
- Allies like India, UK, and Germany felt unprepared for what came next.
The fact that Trump decided to leave fast raised a concern that he was more concerned with the headlines, rather than long-term peace.
A Pattern of Ignoring Allies?
Here’s a summary of some actions and their effects on U.S. allies:
| Action Taken | Impact on Allies |
| North Korea Talks | Left out South Korea |
| Abraham Accords | Ignored Palestine, angered some Arab allies |
| Left Iran Deal | Hurt Europe’s peace efforts |
| Attacked NATO | Shook confidence in alliance |
| Afghanistan Exit | Surprised and hurt partners in the region |
Many of these decisions were made quickly and with bold words. But the quiet result was that America’s closest friends felt pushed aside.
Did Trump Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
No, Donald Trump did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. Later in 2020, a number of leaders endorsed him for the award but he failed to win. Rather the award was conferred upon the World Food Programme. This organization strives to deliver food to starving individuals in every corner of the globe and avert deaths in the course of food crises. Although Trump took some large steps, such as meeting with the leader of North Korea, still he failed to gain the award that he actually desired. Many people believed he was hoping to get the award, but the Nobel Committee chose someone else for their peaceful and helpful work.
Even now in 2025, Trump talks about how he should have won. But the Nobel Committee chose peace workers who helped the world in deeper ways.
Conclusion
Donald Trump did many things that got the world’s attention. His peace talks and deals were often in the news. He even said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize more than some past winners. But when we look closer, some of his actions made America’s close friends feel left out and hurt the trust between countries.
It seemed like he cared more about winning the prize than building real peace. True peace needs teamwork, patience, and care for allies. In the end, Trump’s wish for the prize may have hurt the people America should protect.
Article by Rachna