Greenland is an intriguing territory that has caught the eye of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to annex it. This unique, ice-covered land is a self-governing entity under Danish rule and is rich in undiscovered mineral wealth, complemented by its strategic importance.
Just last month, Trump declared that asserting control over this Arctic island was “an absolute necessity” to uphold “National Security and Freedom throughout the World.” It’s a bold statement, wouldn’t you say? But things took a turn for the dramatic this week when he hinted at a potential military intervention, leaving many—including those in Denmark, the capital of Greenland, known as Nuuk, and across Europe—utterly astonished.
On the flip side, Copenhagen has reacted with measured diplomacy, stating it is “open to a dialogue” with Washington to address U.S. interests, particularly as tensions with Russia and China heighten in this icy frontier. “It’s a complex situation that demands careful navigation,” suggested one political analyst.
Historian Astrid Andersen from the Danish Institute of International Studies noted a vital geographical reality: Greenland’s capital is closer to New York City than it is to Copenhagen. “During the war, even when Denmark was under German occupation, the U.S. established control over Greenland. In many respects, it never really withdrew,” she clarified.
The United States maintains a military base in Greenland’s northwest region, offering a strategic launching pad should tensions rise with Russia, given Greenland’s positioning. Political scientist Ulrik Pram Gad echoed this sentiment, pointing out that the U.S. holds “legitimate concerns” regarding the insufficient surveillance of airspace and submarine areas east of Greenland. “With shipping routes changing due to climate change, the urgency is real,” he emphasized. However, he felt that Trump’s rhetoric could be overly dramatic.
This isn’t the first time Trump has shown interest in Greenland; back in 2019, he mused about purchasing the territory but was met with a firm rejection. Now, experts and politicians alike are left scratching their heads about what the new administration’s intentions might be.
As Lill Rastad Bjorst, an Associate Professor at Aalborg University specializing in Greenland, put it, “We’re still left in the waiting room, trying to decipher the Trump administration’s actual plans.” Since 2009, Greenland has managed its own decisions concerning natural resource exploitation, a significant step toward self-determination.
The U.S.’s interest in Greenland’s mineral wealth is keen, as evidenced by a memorandum for cooperation signed in 2019. The EU quickly followed suit with a similar agreement just a few years later.
Greenland’s mineral landscape is well-explored, leading to a meticulously crafted map of resources. “The EU has identified 25 out of the 34 minerals listed as critical raw materials,” said Ditte Brasso Sorensen, an analyst from Think Tank Europa, pointing out that these resources now include significant rare earth elements.
“With global demand for minerals rising, it’s urgent to seek out these hidden treasures,” Sorensen continued, adding, “There’s a growing realization among stakeholders to diversify resources, particularly with China being a substantial supplier of rare earth elements.” Her remarks reflect wider fears about China potentially dominating the market, casting a long shadow over Greenland’s strategic landscape.
That said, the mining industry in Greenland remains quite underdeveloped. Currently, there are just two operational mines: one focusing on rubies, actively searching for new investors, and another extracting anorthosite, a rock rich in titanium. There’s still much work to do to cultivate a robust mining sector.
Greenland’s economic situation is complex; it relies significantly on subsidies from Copenhagen, which contribute to about 20% of its gross domestic product. Fishing also plays a pivotal role in its economy. Hope for economic diversification lies in the newly opened international airport in Nuuk, launched last November, intended to boost tourism in the Arctic.
However, for the mining sector to thrive, significant infrastructure improvements are crucial. “While Trump’s discussions are putting Greenland on the mining radar, achieving success in this area will depend on attracting investors,” Rastad Bjorst noted with caution.
Yet, challenges abound. Sorensen highlighted Greenland’s extreme weather and strictly protected environment, as well as the high operational costs and the pressing need for both physical and digital infrastructure development. “The country’s already existing regulatory framework is also untested and adds layers to the uncertainty,” she articulated.
Moreover, there’s considerable public resistance to uranium mining, which has led to stringent laws against extracting radioactive materials. The exploration of oil, another potential boon, remains halted for the time being, caught in a web of regulatory hurdles and environmental concerns. The path forward for Greenland remains fraught with complexities, promising both opportunity and significant challenges ahead.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
