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Greenland’s national flag waves over Nuuk on February 5, 2025. — Reuters
– Greenland and Denmark assert they are not for sale.
– European leaders support Copenhagen and Nuuk in their stance.
– Recent days have seen increased discussions at the White House regarding Greenland.
U.S. officials reportedly debated offering lump sums to Greenlanders to persuade them to break away from Denmark and possibly join the United States. Four sources with knowledge of the matter indicate conversations ranged from $10,000 to $100,000 per individual, though specific figures and logistical details remain uncertain and are kept confidential.
Paying residents directly could be perceived as an attempt to “buy” Greenland, a territory of Denmark with a population of about 57,000, despite official denials from Copenhagen and Nuuk that Greenland is for sale. This idea is one among several strategies being considered by the White House, which might also include military action. However, offering monetary incentives risks being viewed as overly transactional and disrespectful to a community where independence aspirations and economic ties to Denmark are ongoing debates.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen dismissed such notions, stating on Facebook that “enough is enough” and rejecting any fantasies of annexation following comments from President Donald Trump about acquiring the island.
European reactions have been strongly opposed to the idea. Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Denmark issued a joint statement emphasizing that only Greenland and Denmark can decide their future relations. The White House referred inquiries about potential purchase plans and payments to statements made by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio announced an upcoming meeting with Denmark’s foreign minister to discuss Greenland.
The conversation around acquiring Greenland has been ongoing, with Trump advocating for it primarily due to its abundant mineral resources vital for military technology and its strategic geopolitical importance in the Western Hemisphere. Internal discussions intensified after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, fueling ideas to leverage Greenland’s strategic value.
While payment discussions are not new, they have gained momentum recently, with some aides considering a figure as high as $100,000 per person—a sum nearing $6 billion total. The specifics of how such payments would be administered or what would be expected from Greenlanders remain unclear. The White House has floated the possibility of military intervention but prefers diplomatic solutions like purchase or other means of acquisition.
One alternative being explored is establishing a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Greenland, similar to agreements the U.S. has with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. This would involve the U.S. providing essential services, military protection, and duty-free trade in exchange for strategic military access. Greenland would need to pursue independence from Denmark for such a treaty. Polls show broad support for independence among Greenlanders, but many hesitate due to economic concerns and a reluctance to join the U.S.
The future of Greenland remains a subject of intense international debate and internal deliberation, with multiple avenues and strategies under consideration.
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