US Weighs Compact of Free Association Deal with Greenland

The Trump administration is exploring a plan to bring Greenland into the U.S. sphere of influence through a Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement, similar to those established with Pacific Island nations. This type of agreement would allow the U.S. to provide essential services such as mail delivery, emergency management, and military protection while enabling free U.S. military operations on Greenland, along with largely duty-free trade. However, Greenland is currently an autonomous territory of Denmark, and COFA agreements have historically only been made with independent countries, meaning Greenland would likely need to pursue independence for such a deal to be viable. Greenlanders have expressed strong opposition to joining the U.S., favoring independence from Denmark but not U.S. sovereignty. While this COFA proposal would fall short of President Trump's initial ambition to fully incorporate Greenland into U.S. territory, it represents one of several options under consideration amid the island's strategic importance and resource wealth. The initiative faces significant practical and political challenges, including resistance from Denmark and Greenland itself.