According to a Reuters exclusive, senior officials within the Trump administration have debated sending lump-sum payments to Greenland residents in an effort to encourage secession from Denmark. Four sources said the discussions involved figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, potentially totaling nearly $6 billion if applied to the island’s roughly 57,000 residents.

While the exact structure, timing, and conditions of any payments remain unclear, the proposal reflects a growing seriousness within the White House about pursuing Greenland — an overseas territory of Denmark — despite firm opposition from both Copenhagen and Nuuk.

“Greenland Is Not for Sale”

The idea of directly compensating Greenlanders has raised concerns even among U.S. officials, who fear it could be perceived as overly transactional or disrespectful toward a population that has long debated its own independence and economic reliance on Denmark.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen publicly rebuked the renewed U.S. interest after President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the island.

“Enough is enough… No more fantasies about annexation,” Nielsen wrote on Facebook.

Europe Pushes Back

Reaction from Europe has been swift. Denmark and several key European allies emphasized that Greenland’s future cannot be dictated externally, especially given NATO obligations between Washington and Copenhagen.

On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark issued a joint statement affirming that decisions regarding Greenland can only be made by Greenland and Denmark themselves.

The Danish embassy declined to comment on the U.S. discussions, while Greenland’s representative office in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

White House Confirms Internal Deliberations

Asked about reports of a potential purchase and direct payments, the White House referred Reuters to comments from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed that President Trump and his national security team were examining “what a potential purchase would look like.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he plans to meet his Danish counterpart in Washington next week to discuss Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, citing its strategic location and mineral wealth.

“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “It’s so strategic.”

Momentum After Venezuela Operation

Sources said discussions about Greenland have intensified following a recent U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Some White House aides view the operation as momentum for advancing Trump’s long-standing geopolitical objectives.

One source noted that while payment proposals are not new, they have gained traction in recent days, with higher figures now under serious consideration.

Free Association Deal Also on the Table

Among the alternatives under review is a Compact of Free Association (COFA), similar to agreements the U.S. maintains with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. Such arrangements typically grant Washington military access while providing economic and security guarantees.

However, Greenland would need to first gain independence from Denmark for such a framework to apply. Payments could theoretically be used to encourage support for independence or for a subsequent COFA agreement.

Despite strong support for independence in opinion polls, economic concerns have prevented Greenlandic lawmakers from calling a referendum. Surveys also indicate that most Greenlanders, while open to independence, do not want to become part of the United States.

The White House has not ruled out military options but continues to signal that diplomatic or financial pathways remain preferable.