Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory encompassed in ice and rich in untapped mineral resources, is being eyed for annexation by US President-elect Donald Trump due to its geostrategic significance.
Last month, Mr. Trump declared that controlling the Arctic island was “an absolute necessity” for “purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World”.
However, the Republican, who will assume office on 20 January, raised new concerns this week by not dismissing the possibility of a military intervention, leading to astonishment in Denmark, the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, and across Europe.
Nevertheless, Copenhagen has expressed its willingness to engage in a “dialogue” with Washington to protect US interests during a time of rising tensions with China and Russia in the Arctic region.
Historian Astrid Andersen from the Danish Institute of International Studies pointed out that Greenland is in the United States’ “zone of interest”, as its capital is closer to New York than to Copenhagen.
“During the war, while Denmark was occupied by Germany, the US took over Greenland. In a way, they have never really departed,” she explained.
There is a military base established in the northwestern part of the territory, and Greenland offers the closest trajectory for missile launches aimed at Russia.
Political scientist Ulrik Pram Gad, also from the Danish Institute of International Studies, noted that the US has “legitimate concerns regarding the lack of surveillance of airspace and submarine areas east of Greenland”.
With new shipping routes emerging due to melting ice, these issues are valid, but Mr. Gad feels that Mr. Trump is using “exaggerated terms”.
During his first term, he suggested in 2019 that he wanted to purchase the territory, a proposal that was met with refusal.
Greenland is closer to the United States than Denmark
Experts remain puzzled regarding the actual plans of the incoming US administration.
“We are still in the waiting room regarding what the Trump administration truly intends,” stated Lill Rastad Bjorst, an Associate Professor specializing in Greenland at Aalborg University in Denmark.
Since 2009, Greenlanders have been empowered to make decisions concerning the use of their natural resources.
The US considers access to these mineral resources vital, having signed a memorandum of cooperation in this area in 2019.
Four years later, the European Union entered into its own agreement.
Greenland’s geology has been extensively researched, resulting in the creation of a detailed resource map.
The EU has identified 25 out of the 34 minerals listed as critical raw materials in Greenland, including rare earth minerals.
“With increasing demand for minerals, there is a pressing need to explore untapped resources,” explained Ditte Brasso Sorensen, an analyst at Think Tank Europa.
“Stakeholders are increasingly aware of the necessity to diversify their sources, particularly to reduce reliance on China for rare earth elements.”
Additionally, there are concerns regarding Chinese access to these valuable mineral resources, she clarified.
Yet, the mining industry in Greenland is quite limited.
Currently, only two mines exist on the island: one for rubies seeking new investors and another for anorthosite, a rock containing titanium.
Greenland’s economy partly depends on fishing
Economically, Greenland, which aims to distance itself from Denmark, relies on a subsidy from Copenhagen that represents one-fifth of its gross domestic product, alongside its fishing industry.
The opening of an international airport in Nuuk last November brings hope for boosting tourism in the Arctic region.
Infrastructure is also crucial for the development of the mining sector.
“In terms of extractive industries, Trump is placing Greenland on the mining discourse map, but it’s difficult to foresee how this will develop due to a lack of investors,” noted Ms. Rastad Bjorst.
Ms. Sorensen also emphasized the intrinsic challenges of such undertakings in the territory, which include “very harsh weather conditions, a protected environment, and significant costs”, in addition to “the need for improved physical and digital infrastructure”.
“The untested regulatory framework further complicates these uncertainties,” she added.
Public resistance to uranium mining in southern Greenland has led to legislation banning the extraction of radioactive materials.
Another potential resource, oil, remains untapped as the sector is currently at a standstill.
