Join US, get $100,000: Trump woos Greenlanders
What's the story
The United States government is reportedly considering a controversial strategy to convince Greenlanders to secede from Denmark and join the US. According to Reuters, US officials, including White House aides, are mulling lump sum payments between $10,000 and $100,000 per person. This idea isn't new but has gained traction recently. A source told the news agency that the Trump administration is hoping to carry forward the momentum following the recent arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Opposition
Trump administration's strategy faces criticism
Despite Danish and Greenlandic authorities' insistence that Greenland is not for sale, this strategy is one of many being considered to acquire the territory. However, it has been criticized as too transactional and degrading. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has publicly opposed these plans, writing on Facebook, "Enough is enough... No more fantasies about annexation." European leaders have also reacted with disdain to these comments by US officials.
Support
European leaders support Greenland's right to self-determination
Leaders from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement supporting Greenland's right to self-determination. They emphasized that "Greenland belongs to its people," and only they should decide on matters concerning their relations with Denmark. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday confirmed that the acquisition of Greenland is being actively discussed by President Trump and his national security team. Leavitt said "all options" were on the table.
Future plans
Potential military intervention and COFA agreements discussed
The White House said that while military intervention is on the table, officials prefer diplomatic means to acquire Greenland. One option being considered is entering into a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the island. Such agreements have been made with small island nations like Micronesia and Palau. The US government typically provides essential services, like mail delivery and military protection, under such agreements, and in exchange, the US military operates freely in COFA countries.