The administration of US President Donald Trump can achieve the annexation of Greenland in four ways, writes the British newspaper The Times.
As the publication notes, the first version includes the invasion and occupation of the island. The second is coercion, in particular, Trump can offer to buy Greenland from Denmark and promise the local population large-scale investments in the island's economy.
"The Times" points to the Pact of Free Association as the third possible scenario. The United States currently has similar agreements with the small Pacific states of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.
According to the agreements, the United States guarantees the financial support of these countries, and they, in turn, transfer the responsibility for defense issues to Washington, maintaining internal self-government.
A fourth option is to maintain Greenland's status as a Danish territory while increasing the US military presence on the island, making commercial deals with American companies to explore mineral deposits, and appointing officials from the United States as advisers to local government members.
Trump has repeatedly announced the need for Greenland to join the United States.
