Trump Administration Considers Payments to Greenlanders for US Alliance
While the exact dollar figure and logistics of any payment are unclear, US officials, including White House aides, have discussed figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, said two of the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
The idea of directly paying residents of Greenland,an overseas territory of Denmark,offers one explanation of how the US might attempt to “buy” the island of 57,000 people,despite authorities’ insistence in Copenhagen and Nuuk that Greenland is not for sale.
The tactic is among various plans being discussed by the White House for acquiring greenland,including potential use of the US military. But it risks coming off as overly transactional and even degrading to a population that has long debated its own independence and its economic dependence on Denmark.
“enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-frederik Nielsen wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday after US President Donald Trump again told reporters the US needed to acquire the island.
leaders in Copenhagen and throughout Europe have reacted to comments by Trump and other White House officials asserting their right to Greenland in recent days with disdain, particularly given that the US and Denmark are NATO allies bound by a mutual defence agreement.
On Tuesday, france, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint statement, saying only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters regarding their relations.
Asked for comment about discussions to pu
Greenland’s Stance on Independence and US Association
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Recent surveys indicate that while a majority of Greenlanders are open to the possibility of independence from Denmark,there is limited support for becoming a part of the United States.
Greenland’s Relationship with Denmark
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoying significant self-governance. The Government of Greenland manages most internal affairs, including education, healthcare, and resource management, while Denmark retains duty for foreign affairs, defense, and financial policy.
Discussions regarding full independence have been ongoing for decades.In 2022, Greenland’s parliament, the Inatsisartut, debated a roadmap towards independence, though no concrete timeline was established. Reuters reported on this debate in October 2022, highlighting the complexities of separating from Denmark, particularly concerning economic viability.
A 2023 poll by Altinget showed 56% of Greenlanders support independence, while 44% prefer to remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Greenland and the United States
Interest in Greenland from the United States dates back to World War II, and has resurfaced periodically due to its strategic location. In 2019, then-President Donald Trump reportedly explored the possibility of purchasing Greenland, an idea that was swiftly rejected by both the Danish and Greenlandic governments. The BBC reported on this proposal in August 2019, detailing the widespread condemnation it received.
Despite ongoing US interest in strengthening ties with Greenland, particularly in areas of security and resource exploration, public opinion in Greenland does not favor becoming a US territory or state.Surveys consistently demonstrate a preference for maintaining Greenlandic identity and self-determination.
According to a 2023 survey conducted by Kantor for Videnskab og Politik (KVP), the Greenlandic Institute for Social Research, approximately 70% of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States.This opposition stems from concerns about cultural preservation, economic control, and maintaining Greenland’s distinct political identity.
Recent Developments (as of January 8, 2026)
As of January 8, 2026, there have been no significant shifts in Greenlandic public opinion regarding independence from Denmark or potential association with the United States.USA Today reported on January 8, 2026 that discussions between greenland and Denmark regarding increased autonomy are ongoing, but no formal plans for a referendum on independence have been announced. The US State department continues to engage with Greenlandic officials on matters of mutual interest, but there are no active negotiations regarding territorial acquisition or political integration.