"U.S. Considers Cash Payments to Greenland Residents... Up to $100,000 Per Person"

Reuters Reports
Plan to Pay Each Resident $10,000 to $100,000
Vance: "Trump's Position Must Be Taken Seriously"

The Trump administration in the United States has reportedly considered a plan to offer a lump-sum payment to the approximately 57,000 residents of Greenland as part of its efforts to secure the Danish autonomous territory.

J.D. Vance, the Vice President of the United States, visited the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland last March. Photo by AP

According to Reuters on January 8 (local time), citing four sources familiar with the matter, the Trump administration discussed this idea as a means of persuading local residents in connection with its plan to separate Greenland from Denmark and incorporate it into the United States.

Reuters reported that while the specific payment method and final amount had not been determined, U.S. officials-including White House aides-had been reviewing proposals to pay each resident between 10,000 and 100,000 dollars (approximately 14.54 million to 145.4 million won). Analysts interpret the Trump administration’s discussion of such measures, which it has justified on security and economic grounds, as being closely linked to the long-discussed idea of purchasing Greenland as one of several options for gaining control over the territory.

The Danish government, which holds sovereignty over Greenland, has maintained its position that it will not sell the territory. Nevertheless, there is speculation that President Trump may be devising a strategy to foster public support among Greenlanders for U.S. incorporation by offering cash incentives.

This controversy has been fueled by statements from key Trump administration officials. Recently, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and other administration figures have stated that they would not rule out the use of force as an option for securing Greenland.

In this context, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, at a White House briefing on the same day, addressed the opposition from European countries regarding the Greenland issue, emphasizing, "Europe should take President Trump’s position seriously." Vice President Vance stated, "Greenland is a region of critical importance not only for the United States’ missile defense but also for global missile defense systems," adding, "We are aware that adversaries have shown significant interest in that territory."

He continued, "That is why we are asking our European allies to take the security of that land more seriously. If Europe does not do so, the United States will have to take action, but what that action will be will be left to the President’s decision as we continue diplomatic discussions with our European allies."

President Trump has repeatedly asserted the need to secure Greenland, citing its central importance to U.S. security, but Denmark and other major European countries remain firmly opposed. Amid these tensions, diplomatic friction is expected to intensify further, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish officials next week to discuss the Greenland issue.