(DDM) – Officials within the United States government are weighing proposals that would involve direct cash payments to residents of Greenland as part of a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at drawing the Arctic territory closer to Washington.
The discussions are reportedly taking place within the administration of former President Donald Trump, reflecting renewed interest in Greenland’s strategic value in the Arctic region.
According to information cited by Reuters, the proposals include one-time payments ranging from $10,000 to as much as $100,000 per individual.
Sources familiar with the internal talks said the idea is being explored as an incentive to encourage Greenland to reconsider its constitutional ties with Denmark.
Greenland is currently an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over foreign policy and defence.
The territory has, however, gained increasing international attention due to its vast natural resources and strategic Arctic location.
U.S. officials believe closer alignment with Greenland could strengthen America’s military and economic footprint in the Arctic.
The Arctic region has become an arena of growing competition involving major global powers, including Russia and China.
Washington has expressed concern over expanding Russian military activity and Chinese economic interests in Arctic territories.
Greenland hosts a key U.S. military installation, the Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base.
American policymakers see Greenland as central to early-warning missile defence and Arctic surveillance systems.
The reported cash payment proposals are said to be part of a wider package of economic and diplomatic incentives.
Officials familiar with the matter stressed that no final decision has been taken on the plan.
They noted that the discussions remain preliminary and subject to legal, political, and diplomatic review.
Analysts say the idea of direct payments raises serious questions about sovereignty and international norms.
Denmark has previously rejected suggestions that Greenland could be “purchased” or economically induced to change allegiance.
Greenlandic leaders have also emphasized their right to self-determination without external pressure.
Public opinion in Greenland remains divided on the issue of full independence from Denmark.
Some residents support gradual independence based on economic self-sufficiency.
Others worry that sudden separation could expose the territory to economic instability and foreign influence.
Denmark currently provides substantial annual subsidies that support Greenland’s public services.
Replacing that financial support would be a major challenge for an independent Greenland.
U.S. officials reportedly believe economic incentives could offset concerns about lost Danish funding.
Critics argue that financial inducements risk undermining democratic decision-making in the territory.
They warn that such moves could inflame diplomatic tensions between Washington and Copenhagen.
Denmark is a long-standing NATO ally of the United States.
Any perception of U.S. interference could strain alliance relations within Europe.
The White House has not issued an official statement confirming the reports.
Greenland’s government has also not publicly responded to the reported discussions.
Political observers say the reports reflect a broader pattern of transactional foreign policy thinking.
They note that Arctic geopolitics is likely to intensify as climate change opens new shipping routes and resource opportunities.
For now, the proposal remains speculative but symbolically significant.
It underscores how strategic competition is reshaping global diplomacy in unexpected ways.
Whether Greenlanders would support such a move remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Greenland’s future has become a subject of high-level international interest.
The unfolding discussions highlight the growing importance of the Arctic in global power calculations.