Greenland’s future could be the kind of Compact of Free Association that America has with three Pacific Island states, Trump aides are telling reporters. Under these Compacts, the island nations get sovereignty, development assistance, and the right of residents to live and work in America. In return, Washington takes over defense.

US president-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his expansionist agenda, citing China as a security threat and refusing to rule out military action or economic pressure to reclaim the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland from Denmark.