White House estimates costs of possible Greenland acquisition, - WP
The White House is assessing how much it will cost the US federal government to control Greenland.
This was reported by The Washington Post, citing three informed sources, Censor.NET reports.
As noted, this is one of the most concrete attempts to implement the idea of former US President Donald Trump to acquire this Danish island. According to the sources, officials have been studying the potential costs associated with the integration of Greenland in recent weeks, including the financing of public services for its 58,000 residents.
The White House Budget Office is analyzing how much it will cost to maintain the island if it is acquired and what revenues the United States can receive from Greenland's natural resources.
One option involves offering the Greenlandic government more favorable terms than the current Danish subsidies of $600 million a year.
A cost estimate is reportedly being conducted by the US Office of Management and Budget, headed by Russell Vaught. The administration is considering convincing the public of the project's profitability through taxes and royalties from commercial activities on the island.
At the same time, the issue of Greenland is not yet a priority for US national security. A White House official said that this is a "bonus game" that can take place after the end of the Russian war in Ukraine, the stabilization of the situation in the Middle East, and the containment of Iran.
The final decision will depend on economic calculations and the political will of the Greenlanders, who must support the potential accession.
Trump wants to buy Greenland
In early January, Trump said that Denmark should give up Greenland to protect the "free world."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cannot imagine and does not believe that the United States will use military or economic force to control Greenland.
Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen, in turn, said that Greenland could become independent if its residents so choose, but it would not be a US state.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the EU will not allow other countries to attack its borders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned against violent border changes in light of US President-elect Donald Trump's recent statements about claims to Greenland.
CNN writes that Danish officials fear that US President Donald Trump is much more serious about acquiring Greenland than he was in his first term.
Earlier, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede said that the island does not want to be American or Danish but seeks independence, noting that this is nothing new.
On March 5, Trump said that the United States is ready to accept Greenland into its fold if the people are in favor: "We're going to get it one way or another."
