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US President Donald Trump has not abandoned the idea of annexing Greenland, an island belonging to Denmark. This time, he plans to act not with force but with money: each resident is promised $10,000 a year, Le Point reports, citing sources in the US National Security Council.
The US aims to replace Denmark’s $600 million in subsidies with direct payments to residents to persuade them to join the US. In this way, Washington wants to change public opinion on the island, where people are not yet ready to support the annexation plan.
“We will protect you. We’re going to make you rich,” Trump said to the island’s 57,000 residents, promising to join the United States.
Social media and video campaigns actively promote a positive image of the US Army and highlight the historical ties between the Inuit of Greenland and the Inuit of Alaska.
But the main goal is resources. Greenland has strategic reserves of uranium, gold, oil and copper, which are becoming increasingly accessible due to climate change. According to The New York Times, Trump is targeting them.
However, the reaction of Denmark and the Greenlandic government is categorical.
“You cannot annex another country,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
“The US will not get Greenland,” added Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen.
