An uphill battle: Trump begins annexation of Greenland

The White House has prepared and has already sent instructions to the departments on the implementation of the plan for Greenland's accession to the United States, the emphasis is on persuasion. It is reported by The New York Times, citing a source in the US government.

"According to the American official, the White House National Security Council has met several times ... and recently sent specific instructions to various branches of the government. All the details of the plan are unclear. But despite the hints (of US President Donald) Trump on the possible use of force, during discussions in The Security Council has never seriously considered military options, the official said," the publication says.

According to the source, the Trump administration is focusing not on coercion, but on persuasion: the population of Greenland, numbering 57 thousand people, should ask to join the The United States. It is planned to conduct an appropriate media campaign, the source said.

Trump's advisers have discussed using ads and social media campaigns to influence public opinion on the island, according to another person briefed on the matter. It could be an uphill battle… The Trump administration is also exploring financial incentives for Greenlanders, including the possibility of replacing the $600 million in subsidies that Denmark provides to the island with an annual payment of about $10,000 per Greenlander," the newspaper writes.

It is noted that, according to some Trump officials, the above expenses can be offset by new revenues from the extraction of Greenland's natural resources, which include rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium and oil.