Rising tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland prompt the Trump administration to consider cash payments to residents in a bid to shift allegiance from Copenhagen.
Heightened tensions between the United States and Denmark regarding Greenland have sparked a rare public confrontation between the two long-standing NATO allies. The Trump administration is reportedly contemplating offering direct cash payments to residents of Greenland to encourage the semi-autonomous territory to distance itself from Copenhagen and align more closely with the U.S.
Sources indicate that the proposed payments could range from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, potentially amounting to billions of dollars given Greenland’s population of approximately 57,000. This strategy is viewed as a non-military approach to enhance U.S. influence in the Arctic, a region of increasing strategic interest amid rising great-power competition.
However, the exact mechanics and legal implications of such financial inducements remain unclear. Both the Danish government and the local Greenlandic administration in Nuuk have firmly rejected any notion that Greenland is “for sale.” European leaders have emphasized that decisions regarding the island’s future should rest solely with its residents and Denmark.
The proposal emerges as the Trump administration seeks to expand U.S. influence in the Arctic, a region gaining geopolitical significance due to melting ice, untapped mineral resources, and the presence of Russian and Chinese military forces. Proponents of the initiative within the Trump administration argue that Greenland holds considerable value for national security and military logistics. Critics, however, caution that this approach could undermine established diplomatic norms.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Danish Defence Ministry has invoked a rarely cited Cold War-era directive from 1952. This directive permits Danish troops stationed in Greenland to “shoot first, ask questions later” if any foreign power attempts to invade. Under this rule of engagement, Danish forces are authorized to open fire on an invading force without awaiting orders from higher command, a policy rooted in the lessons learned during World War II when Nazi Germany swiftly overran Denmark.
The invocation of such strong and dramatic measures has raised alarms in Copenhagen regarding the potential for U.S. military action in the Arctic, despite the absence of any public announcement from U.S. officials about a planned invasion. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any unilateral military action against Greenland by the United States would lead to a rupture in NATO and violate the alliance’s principles.
European capitals have rallied in support of Denmark’s position, with senior officials from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Britain issuing statements that underscore the importance of preserving Greenland’s sovereignty. These governments have emphasized that defending Greenland’s territorial integrity is a collective priority and that only the people of Greenland can determine their political future.
As discussions continue in both Washington and Copenhagen, the situation underscores broader strains in diplomatic relations and highlights the growing geopolitical significance of the Arctic—a region that has shifted from being peripheral to central in global strategic competition.
According to The American Bazaar, the unfolding events reflect a complex interplay of national interests and the delicate balance of power in the Arctic region.