According to Reuters, U.S. officials have reportedly explored offering direct payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince the island’s 57,000 residents to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Figures under consideration reportedly range from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, which could total nearly $6 billion.
The discussions are part of a wider set of options being considered by the Trump administration for acquiring Greenland, including military intervention and diplomatic agreements. One possibility is a Compact of Free Association (COFA), a type of arrangement previously made with small Pacific nations, in which the U.S. provides services and military protection in exchange for strategic access and trade privileges.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen strongly rejected the idea, calling it “fantasies about annexation.” Denmark and European leaders have also pushed back, emphasizing that any decisions about Greenland must be made by Copenhagen and Nuuk alone. A joint statement from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark underlined that Greenland cannot be “bought or transferred” by external powers.
The push has reportedly gained urgency in the White House following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as aides look to capitalize on momentum for other strategic objectives. Trump has repeatedly cited Greenland’s mineral resources and geopolitical position in the Arctic as justification for U.S. interest, describing it as “so strategic” for national security.
While polls indicate that most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark, few support joining the United States. Many legislators have avoided pushing for a referendum due to economic and political concerns, meaning any U.S. plan would face both logistical and diplomatic hurdles.
White House officials did not provide specifics on timing, logistics, or conditions for any payments, and stressed that military options remain on the table if diplomatic approaches fail.
