A woman walks near a church in Nuuk, Greenland. (Photo: AP)
The Trump administration has discussed offering direct cash payments to people in Greenland as part of efforts to persuade the territory to break away from Denmark and potentially join the United States, reported news agency Reuters.
The discussions, which have intensified in recent days, come despite repeated statements from Greenland and Denmark that the island is “not for sale”.
What is being discussed
US officials have talked about sending one-time payments to Greenland’s population of around 57,000 people, the sources said. The figures under discussion range from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, though no final amount or payment plan has been agreed.
Children play on an icy surface in Nuuk, Greenland. (Photo: AP)
One source said that payments at the higher end would cost the US government nearly $6 billion in total. The idea offers one explanation of how Washington could try to “buy” Greenland, a long-standing goal of President Donald Trump.
Why the US wants Greenland
Trump has repeatedly said the US needs Greenland for national security reasons, citing its strategic location and mineral resources.
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“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. “It’s so strategic.”
Sources said discussions about acquiring Greenland have taken place among Trump’s advisers since before he took office, but gained urgency after recent US foreign policy actions, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
One source said White House aides were keen to build on that momentum to pursue Trump’s broader geopolitical aims.
How the plan could work
Officials have also discussed non-military options, including a Compact of Free Association (COFA) — a type of agreement the US has with several Pacific island nations.
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Under such arrangements, the US provides services such as defence and postal systems, while gaining military access and trade benefits. Greenland would likely need to become independent from Denmark before such a deal could be considered.
One source said payments could be used to encourage Greenlanders to vote for independence or support a future agreement with Washington.
Locals walk on a street with a political placard for the upcoming elections in Nuuk, Greenland. (Photo: AP)
Details remain unclear, including how payments would be made or what Greenlanders would be expected to agree to in return.
Opposition from Greenland, Denmark and Europe
Leaders in Greenland and Denmark have strongly rejected US claims over the territory. “Enough is enough… No more fantasies about annexation,” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook after Trump again said the US needed to acquire the island.
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European leaders have also pushed back. On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint statement saying that only Greenland and Denmark can decide their future relationship.
Asked about the discussions, the White House pointed Reuters to comments by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said Trump and his national security team were “looking at what a potential purchase would look like”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would meet Denmark’s foreign minister next week in Washington to discuss Greenland. Denmark’s embassy declined to comment, and Greenland’s representative office in Washington did not respond.
What Greenlanders think
While opinion polls show strong support in Greenland for eventual independence from Denmark, surveys also suggest most residents do not want to become part of the United States.
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Concerns over the economic impact of independence have so far prevented Greenlandic lawmakers from calling a referendum.
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A woman walks near a church in Nuuk, Greenland. (Photo: AP) 
