President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing Greenland, even suggesting the possibility of a military attack, and has recently threatened action despite opposition from Greenlandic lawmakers. White House officials are actively discussing potential options, including a financial offer to buy the Danish territory and even payouts to Greenlandic residents.
Is Trump considering paying out Greenlanders?
White House officials have reportedly discussed paying Greenland’s nearly 56,000 residents, with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, in an attempt to persuade them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States. Greenland, the world’s largest island, is mostly within the Arctic Circle, with 80 percent of its land covered by glaciers. Nuuk, the capital, is home to about one-third of the population.
Greenland is formally part of Denmark, with its own elected government controlling most internal affairs, including natural resources and governance. However, Denmark handles foreign policy, defence, and Greenland’s finances. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to secede if its population votes for independence in a referendum.
Trump previously described his ambitions of annexing Greenland as “essentially a large real estate deal.” A payout of $100,000 to each resident would total approximately $5.6 billion.
Can the US ‘buy’ Greenland?
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump’s officials are “actively” discussing a potential offer to buy the Danish territory. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers that Trump would prefer to buy Greenland rather than invade it, and is scheduled to hold talks with Danish leaders next week.
Both Nuuk and Copenhagen have repeatedly stated that the island “is not for sale.” The US purchased Louisiana from France in 1803 and Alaska from Russia in 1867, but both were willing sellers. Washington also purchased the Danish West Indies from Denmark in 1917, later renaming them the United States Virgin Islands.
Can Trump really just pay off his way?
According to a 2025 poll commissioned by the Danish paper Berlingske, nearly 85 percent of Greenlanders reject the idea of becoming part of the US. A YouGov poll shows only 7 percent of Americans support a US military invasion of the territory.
Economist Jeffrey Sachs told Al Jazeera that the White House wants to “buy out Greenlanders, not to pay for what Greenland is worth.” He added that the attempt to negotiate directly with Greenlanders is “an affront and threat to Danish and European sovereignty.”
Has the US tried to buy Greenland earlier?
Yes, on more than one occasion. The first proposal surfaced in 1867 under Secretary of State William Seward, during discussions to purchase Alaska. By 1868, he was prepared to offer $5.5 million in gold for Greenland and Iceland. In 1910, a land swap involving Greenland was discussed. A more formal attempt was made in 1946, when President Harry Truman’s administration offered Denmark $100 million in gold, but the offer was rejected.
Can the US attack Greenland?
While political analysts say a US attack to annex Greenland would violate the NATO treaty, the White House has said military force is among the options. Denmark has stated that such an attack would end the military alliance.
Trump stated, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark isn’t going to be able to do it.”
The US military has a significant presence on the island at the Pituffik Space Base, established through a 1951 agreement. This agreement allows Washington to establish additional “defence areas” on the island. Nearly 650 personnel are stationed at the base, including US Air Force and Space Force members, with Canadian, Danish and Greenlandic civilian contractors.
Denmark also has a military presence in Greenland, headquartered in Nuuk. Many analysts believe the US could occupy Greenland with limited military resistance.
Trump stated that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” though there is no evidence of this.
Is there another option for the US?
There have been discussions in the White House regarding a Compact of Free Association, similar to agreements with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. This arrangement would grant the US responsibility for defence and security in exchange for economic assistance. Greenland would need to separate from Denmark for this to be possible.
When asked about using military force, White House spokesperson Leavitt replied that all options are on the table, but Trump’s “first option always has been diplomacy.”
Why does Trump want Greenland badly?
Trump has cited national security as his motivation. Greenland offers the shortest route from North America to Europe, and the US is interested in expanding its military presence there, particularly with radars to track Russian and Chinese vessels.
Greenland is also rich in minerals, including rare earths, with 25 of 34 minerals deemed “critical raw materials” by the European Commission found on the island. Scientists believe it could also have significant oil and gas reserves. However, Greenland does not currently extract oil and gas, and its mining sector faces opposition from its Indigenous population. The island’s economy currently relies heavily on its fishing industry.
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