U.S. officials, including White House aides, have explored the idea of offering direct lump-sum payments to Greenland’s approximately 57,000 residents as part of efforts to encourage secession from Denmark and potential integration with the United States.
Details of the Payment Discussions
According to four sources familiar with the matter, U.S. officials have discussed sending payments to individual Greenlanders to sway support for leaving Denmark. While specifics on the amount and distribution remain unclear, two sources indicated that figures between $10,000 and $100,000 per person have been considered. One source noted that these deliberations have gained renewed seriousness recently, with a $100,000-per-person option—totaling nearly $6 billion—viewed as a viable possibility.
Many aspects of such payments are undecided, including timing, method of distribution, and what Greenlanders would be required to do in return.
Broader Context of U.S. Interest in Greenland
President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the need for U.S. control of Greenland, citing national security concerns and the island’s strategic location. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark isn’t going to be able to do it,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday. “It’s so strategic.” He has highlighted Greenland’s rich mineral resources essential for military applications and its role in broader Western Hemisphere influence.
Internal White House discussions on acquiring Greenland, including payment ideas, predate Trump’s current term but intensified following a recent U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Sources said aides aim to build on that momentum for other geopolitical objectives.
Other options under consideration include potential military involvement, though officials stress a preference for diplomatic or purchase-based approaches.
Alternative Acquisition Approaches
One possibility floated by aides involves a Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement, similar to those with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. Under COFA arrangements, the U.S. provides services like military protection and postal delivery in exchange for operational freedoms and duty-free trade. For Greenland to pursue this, it would likely first need to achieve independence from Denmark.
Payments could theoretically incentivize a vote for independence or subsequent COFA alignment. Polls indicate most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark but cite economic concerns as a barrier, given reliance on Danish subsidies. Surveys also show limited support for joining the United States.
Reactions from Officials and Leaders
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded strongly to Trump’s recent comments. “Enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.
The White House, when asked about purchase discussions including resident payments, referred to statements by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Leavitt confirmed Trump and aides are examining a potential purchase framework, while Rubio plans to meet his Danish counterpart next week in Washington to discuss Greenland.
A joint statement from leaders in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark on Tuesday affirmed that only Greenland and Denmark can determine their relational matters. The Danish embassy and Greenland’s Washington office declined or did not respond to comment requests.
