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An aircraft reportedly transporting U.S. businessman Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025.
As President-elect, Donald Trump appears increasingly focused on acquiring Greenland, with commentators pointing to the island’s vast potential for critical minerals as a key factor driving this ambition. Mining professionals and analysts have labeled Greenland as a land of “enormous opportunity” due to its extensive natural resources.
In anticipation of his inauguration on January 20, Trump has underscored the importance of U.S. ownership of Greenland, framing it as an “absolute necessity” for national security and global freedom.
Trump has further elaborated on his stance by hinting at the possibility of using military or economic measures to achieve this goal.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has firmly replied that the island is “not for sale” and has appealed for the international community to acknowledge the territory’s desire for autonomy. Alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Egede has called for constructive dialogue with Trump to address the situation.
In response to inquiries about Trump’s ambitions, Representative Michael Waltz, incoming national security advisor, highlighted the significance of critical minerals as a primary factor in this discourse.
“This is about critical minerals and natural resources,” Waltz stated during an interview with Fox News on January 9, adding that it aligns with a broader ‘America First’ strategy.
The importance of Greenland is expected to rise, particularly as discussions around climate change and raw materials intensify, underscoring its strategic value on the global stage.
Critical minerals, vital for modern energy initiatives and technologies, include materials like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are essential for manufacturing electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
Currently, China dominates the critical minerals supply chain, producing about 60% of the world’s rare earth elements. U.S. policymakers have expressed concern over this monopoly, which poses risks to the transition towards low-carbon energy solutions.
In a recent analysis, Jakob Kløve Keiding from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) noted that a 2023 survey identified a wide array of valuable raw materials on the island—many with significant potential.
According to Keiding, the survey, which assessed 38 raw materials, revealed a vast wealth of critical resources including rare earth elements, graphite, and various metals essential for industrial and technological applications.
‘Greenland is not for sale’
Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish parliament for the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, labeled Trump’s remarks disrespectful, reinforcing the assertion that Greenland is not for sale.
She emphasized, “I think it is important for us to say that Greenland is not for sale, never has been, and never will be,” in an interview with CNBC’s Silvia Amaro.
Chemnitz suggested that Greenlandic officials should pursue clear collaboration aims with the U.S., which could lead to beneficial investments in the island’s mining sector.
“We have been looking for American investors in rare earth extraction for a long time but have yet to find any interested parties,” she noted, extending an invitation for U.S. investments.
The U.S. maintains a military base in northwestern Greenland, formerly known as Thule Air Base, which adds another dimension to the geopolitical significance of the territory.
‘A race for what’s left’
Roderick McIllree, executive director of 80 Mile, a UK-based mining company, articulated that the interest surrounding Greenland is akin to a “race for what’s left,” given the planet’s dwindling extractable resources.
After over two decades of involvement in Greenland’s resource sector, McIllree suggested that a substantial portion of the world’s remaining extractable resources might lie within Greenland’s marine boundaries, translating into significant opportunities for the territory.
His company is currently advancing three projects in Greenland, focusing on oil, titanium, and extensive nickel and copper deposits, indicating a burgeoning interest in the island’s natural wealth.
Looking ahead, McIllree underscored that Greenland would gain increasing attention in discussions about climate change, critical minerals, and global geopolitics, highlighting its geographic advantage as a hub for potential U.S. investments.
He concluded, “If Greenland plays their cards right, this could lead to greater independence for the territory.”
‘Significant strategic interest’
In March 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Nuuk to open an EU office, aiming to strengthen Europe’s engagement in Greenland and the Arctic region.
During her visit, von der Leyen introduced two cooperation agreements worth nearly 94 million euros, earmarked for investment in clean energy and critical raw materials in Greenland.
Paul Lusty, a geologist and head of battery materials research at Fastmarkets, voiced his acknowledgment of Greenland’s resource-rich potential, indicating the strategic importance of its rare earth resources for both the U.S. and broader international interests.
Source
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