White House discusses Greenland acquisition with Danish and Greenlandic envoys

Friday 09 January 2026 - 09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

White House discusses Greenland acquisition with Danish and Greenlandic envoys

White House officials met with representatives from Denmark and Greenland on Thursday to explore paths toward U.S. control over the Arctic island, amid President Trump's persistent pursuit. Discussions reportedly touched on potential cash payments to residents as one avenue forward. Jesper Møller Sørensen, Denmark's ambassador, and Jacob Isbosethsen, Greenland's chief representative in Washington, engaged with National Security Council staff on January 8, according to Danish government sources. The talks sought to address escalating U.S. rhetoric on acquiring the Danish autonomous territory.

Internal U.S. deliberations have floated lump-sum payments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person to the island's roughly 57,000 inhabitants, aiming to spur secession from Denmark, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. White House collaborators joined these conversations, though specifics on amounts and implementation remain unclear.

This payment idea coincides with calls from Pele Broberg, leader of Greenland's largest opposition party Naleraq, for direct negotiations between Greenland and the United States, bypassing Denmark. "Denmark is stoking hostility between Greenland and the U.S. through its mediation," Broberg told Reuters. Naleraq, which secured 25% of votes in last year's election, advocates a "free association" deal offering U.S. support and military access without full territorial integration.

Greenland's foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, countered that direct talks excluding Denmark lack legal basis. "We must respect the law," she told Sermitsiaq newspaper.

Tensions mount as Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Danish officials next week, following the White House's Tuesday statement that military force remains an option. "The use of U.S. military is always an option available to the commander-in-chief," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a release.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has repeatedly dismissed the bid, stating this week, "Our country is not for sale." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Monday that a U.S. takeover would undermine NATO. Trump's interest surged after last weekend's military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with the administration citing Greenland's strategic value against Russian and Chinese Arctic influence.