US GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PAY GREENLANDERS $100,000 EACH TO LEAVE DENMARK AND JOIN THE US

In an extraordinary and controversial foreign-policy idea, the U.S. government is reportedly considering offering direct cash payments to residents of Greenland — perhaps up to $100,000 per person — as part of an effort to persuade the Arctic territory to break away from Denmark and align with the United States. What sounds at first like an economic incentive has ignited diplomatic backlash, raised questions about modern sovereignty, and thrust the strategically vital island into the global spotlight. �
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At the center of the discussion is a proposal under review by senior White House aides that would provide lump-sum payments — possibly ranging between $10,000 and $100,000 for each of Greenland’s approximately 57,000 residents — should they decide to secede from the Kingdom of Denmark and ultimately become part of the United States. � While details of how such a plan might be structured have not been finalized, officials familiar with internal deliberations confirm these figures have been floated in recent conversations. �
Geo News
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The idea echoes earlier attempts in American history to purchase territory: most famously, the 1867 Alaska Purchase — but never before has the U.S. government seriously entertained direct payments to a population as a means of changing national affiliation. Critics have described the proposal as tantamount to “buying a people” and warn of the diplomatic and ethical consequences of such an approach.
Strategic Importance Behind the Proposal
Greenland is not merely a remote Arctic island covered in ice. It occupies a strategic position between North America and Europe and is rich in critical minerals like rare earth elements, nickel, and uranium — resources increasingly important for modern technology and defense applications. � U.S. leaders have repeatedly framed Greenland as essential to national security, especially in the context of great-power competition with China and Russia in the Arctic region.
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Supporters of the plan argue that bringing Greenland into the U.S. fold would enhance American influence in the Arctic, tighten control over shipping routes and natural resources, and prevent rival powers from establishing a foothold on the island. Proponents also tether the idea to broad geopolitical concerns, asserting that only Washington can truly ensure Greenland’s prosperity and defense.
Backlash at Home and Abroad
But this proposal has triggered swift and forceful rejection from Greenlandic and Danish leaders. Greenland’s Prime Minister has denounced the notion as a “fantasy about annexation,” emphasizing that the island’s future should be determined by its own people free from outside pressure. � Danish officials have echoed this stance, with Denmark’s government insisting Greenland is “not for sale” and warning that sovereignty decisions must remain between Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Reuters
European governments, including those of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have also voiced opposition, making clear they do not support any attempts to undermine Danish authority or internationally accepted norms of territorial integrity. �
Al Jazeera
The political blowback has not been limited to overseas allies. Even within the United States, some lawmakers and defense officials have expressed skepticism or outright concern, saying a transactional approach to territorial expansion risks damaging America’s reputation and strategic alliances, particularly with NATO. �
Bloomberg
What Greenlanders Themselves Think
Perhaps most tellingly, early reports and interviews suggest many Greenlanders are not interested in being “bought,” regardless of the monetary figure attached. Some residents have reportedly responded dismissively when asked whether cash incentives would sway their views, emphasizing that identity, culture, and self-determination mean far more than financial compensation. �
Yahoo News
This sentiment reinforces a deeper point: nationhood and belonging cannot simply be purchased with a check, no matter how large. Greenlanders have a distinct cultural heritage shaped by Inuit traditions and centuries of Arctic life, and that heritage is not easily translated into geopolitical capital.
The Road Ahead
At present, the U.S. government has not formally committed to any payment scheme, and it remains unclear how, or even whether, such a plan would be implemented. Any effort to change Greenland’s status would require not only the consent of the island’s population but also negotiations with Denmark, which continues to assert legal sovereignty over its autonomous territory.
What is certain is that this proposal has ignited an international debate about sovereignty, influence, and the limits of economic incentives in diplomacy. Whether it ultimately goes anywhere or remains a flashpoint in political discourse, the discussion has already underscored Greenland’s importance far beyond its icy shores — and the complex intersection of money, identity, and power in the 21st century.