US-Denmark tensions escalate as Trump considers Arctic expansion over NATO stability
Washington is debating a proposal to offer substantial one-time payments to Greenland's residents as an incentive to separate from Denmark and join the United States.
According to reports from DW and Reuters, the Biden administration is considering sums ranging from €9,150 to €91,500 for each individual.
President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed that the Arctic island, home to roughly 57,000 people, is a vital strategic asset for American national security.
Denmark and EU reject US territorial ambitions
The Danish government has firmly stated that the autonomous territory is not for sale, a position backed by the European Union. While local polls suggest Greenlanders generally favor eventual independence from Copenhagen, there is significant public opposition to falling under American jurisdiction.
The future of the NATO alliance at risk Internal White House discussions have reportedly explored various acquisition methods, including purchase or military annexation. The geopolitical stakes reached a boiling point on January 5, when Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US invasion of Greenland would trigger the collapse of the NATO alliance.
In a recent interview with The New York Times on January 7, Trump admitted his administration might eventually face a binary choice: securing control of the strategic island or preserving the integrity of the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
