Trump Offers Cash to Greenlanders in Bold Bid to Bring Strategic Island Under US Control

Washington: The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a plan to offer cash incentives to the residents of Greenland as part of an ambitious effort to bring the island under US control. The proposal comes after repeated statements by President Donald Trump over the past year in which he alternately threatened military action or expressed interest in buying Greenland, citing its strategic importance.

According to Reuters, US officials are considering a one-time payment ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per Greenland resident, potentially costing the United States around $6 billion. The plan aims to persuade Greenlanders to detach from Denmark and align politically with the United States. No official confirmation has yet been provided about the specifics of the plan.

Greenland and Denmark Push Back

This is not the first time the US has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected such proposals, emphasizing that the island is not for sale. Greenland is currently a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, with Denmark retaining control over foreign policy and defense. The island is rich in natural resources and has a population of roughly 57,000.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen recently criticized Trump’s statements, calling them “utterly unrealistic.” European leaders have also voiced concern, with France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Denmark issuing a joint statement opposing US interference.

NATO Tensions Loom

Both Denmark and the United States are NATO members. Danish officials have warned that any unilateral US move to take control of Greenland could threaten NATO’s cohesion. Nielsen stressed that the future of Greenland should be decided solely by Greenland and Denmark, without external interference.

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s strategic value in countering rival powers like Russia and China, framing the island as a key national security asset. He has even floated the possibility of a military option to secure US interests.

The new cash incentive plan represents yet another bold, high-stakes move in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to assert US influence in the Arctic region.