Greenland, the world’s largest non-continental island and the third largest area in North America after Canada and the United States, was governed by Denmark from the early 19th century until the 1950s. It was temporarily occupied by US troops during World War II after Nazi Germany took control of Denmark. In recent years, the island has achieved increased autonomy, obtaining home rule in 1979 and the authority to pursue independence following a referendum in 2009.
Currently, Greenland is also home to a US military base and an early warning system for ballistic missile threats.
In 2019, Donald Trump initially proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland and has since revived this notion upon his return to office. His administration characterizes the island as a strategic asset, highlighting its geographical significance and untapped natural resources.
Trump’s ambitions, along with a recent visit from a prominent US delegation that included Vice President J.D. Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, have sparked strong opposition from officials in Greenland and Denmark, who have firmly dismissed any notion of a sale.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has criticized Trump’s recent comments as provocative and disrespectful, asserting that the rhetoric has become increasingly hostile and constitutes a “hidden threat” to Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory.
Greenland’s newly elected Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has called on the island’s residents to come together and assert that “we do not belong to anyone else” and will never fall under the control of Washington.
Now, the Trump administration is reportedly developing a public relations initiative along with financial incentives aimed at encouraging the people of Greenland to consider joining the United States.
Trump has consistently asserted that it is essential for Washington to gain control over the self-governing Danish territory to bolster America’s “national security.” He recently expressed confidence that he would “100% get” the Arctic island, even suggesting the possibility of military action if required.
This new strategy will reportedly emphasize persuasion rather than coercion, incorporating advertising and social media efforts to sway the opinions of Greenland’s roughly 57,000 inhabitants. The initiative involves the collaboration of various cabinet departments to pursue Trump’s long-held ambition of acquiring Danish territory, which is comparable in size to Mexico.
The Trump administration is exploring financial incentives for the people of Greenland, which may involve substituting the $600 million in subsidies currently provided by Denmark with annual payments of approximately $10,000 for each individual, according to sources.
Some officials within the Trump administration have suggested that these expenses could be balanced by potential revenue generated from Greenland’s natural resources, such as rare earth elements, copper, gold, uranium, and oil.
To strengthen this initiative, the White House is emphasizing the shared heritage of Greenlanders with those from Alaska and Arctic Canada, along with other historical connections, including the presence of US military forces on the island during World War II.