Donald Trump’s fascination with Greenland has been a recurring theme in his political narrative, often dismissed as a bizarre quirk of his presidency. However, a closer examination reveals a calculated strategy rooted in geopolitical competition, particularly with China.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is not merely about territorial expansion or ego-driven ambitions; it is a reflection of the broader struggle for control over critical resources and strategic dominance in the Arctic region. This obsession underscores the growing importance of Greenland’s vast mineral wealth and its role in the global energy transition, as well as the USA’s desire to counter China’s influence in securing these resources.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a geopolitical goldmine. Its location in the Arctic makes it a strategic asset for military and economic purposes. The USA has long recognized this, as evidenced by the establishment of the Thule Air Base in 1951, which was renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2020 under Trump’s administration. This base is critical for missile defense, space surveillance, and maintaining US superiority in the Arctic, a region increasingly contested by global powers like Russia and China.
While the USA already operates military installations in Greenland with NATO and Denmark’s approval, Trump’s push to acquire the island suggests a deeper motive. The Arctic is warming at twice the global average rate, opening up new shipping routes and access to previously inaccessible resources. Greenland’s vast reserves of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, and copper, are essential for producing green technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines. These resources are at the heart of the global energy transition, and controlling them would give the USA a significant advantage in the race for technological and economic supremacy.
Trump’s stance on green energy has been contradictory. On one hand, he has consistently opposed environmental initiatives, such as the Biden Administration’s push for electric vehicles, which he claims threaten US jobs in the auto industry. On the other hand, he has shown a keen interest in securing the critical minerals needed for these very technologies. This paradox highlights Trump’s pragmatic approach to resource acquisition, driven by the need to reduce USA dependence on China, which currently dominates the global supply chain for critical minerals.
China controls approximately 60 percent of the world’s supply of rare earth elements and other critical minerals, giving it significant leverage in the global market. Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, including graphite— a key component of lithium-ion batteries— have disrupted supply chains and raised concerns among US manufacturers, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. By targeting Greenland’s mineral wealth, Trump aims to create an alternative supply chain that bypasses China, thereby strengthening US economic and technological independence.
Greenland’s mineral deposits are staggering. The island is estimated to hold six million tons of graphite, 106 kilotons of copper, and 235 kilotons of lithium, among other resources. These minerals are crucial for producing batteries, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics. The Amitsoq graphite project in southern Greenland, for instance, is considered one of the purest deposits in the world and could become a major source of spherical graphite, essential for lithium-ion battery production.
China has already shown significant interest in Greenland’s resources, investing in mining projects and seeking to secure long-term supplies. This has raised alarms in Washington, where policymakers view China’s growing influence in the Arctic as a threat to US national security. Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland can be seen as a preemptive move to block China’s access to these resources and ensure that the USA maintains control over the critical minerals needed for its technological and military dominance.
As the world transitions to a green energy future, the competition for critical minerals will only intensify, making it imperative to address these issues in a way that respects human rights, promotes sustainability, and fosters international cooperation. Trump’s approach, driven by ego and corporate interests, falls short of these ideals and underscores the need for a more ethical and inclusive vision of global leadership.
While the geopolitical and economic motivations behind Trump’s interest in Greenland are clear, the human cost of this imperialist ambition cannot be ignored. Greenland’s Indigenous Inuit population, the Kalaallit, have endured centuries of colonization and systemic oppression. From forced assimilation programmes in the 1950s to the recent revelations of involuntary sterilizations in the 1960s, the Kalaallit have suffered immensely under foreign rule.
Today, Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and the majority of its population opposes Trump’s neocolonial efforts. In a 2016 referendum, 68 percent of Greenlanders supported independence from Denmark, and 85 percent are against the idea of the USA acquiring the island. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, has made it clear that the island is “not for sale” and that its people have no interest in becoming part of the USA.
Trump’s disregard for the aspirations of the Kalaallit reflects a broader pattern of eco-colonialism, where powerful nations exploit the resources of weaker territories without regard for the rights and well-being of their inhabitants. This approach not only undermines the principles of self-determination and sovereignty but also perpetuates the cycle of exploitation and inequality that has characterized colonial history.
Trump’s push to acquire Greenland is not just a government initiative; it is also driven by the interests of powerful billionaires and corporations. Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has a vested interest in securing a steady supply of critical minerals for Tesla’s electric vehicles. Musk’s public endorsement of Trump’s Greenland ambitions, coupled with his influence in the White House, suggests that corporate interests are playing a significant role in shaping US policy.
Similarly, Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, has financial ties to Greenland’s mining sector through his investment firm, Cantor Fitzgerald. Lutnick’s involvement in Critical Metals Corporation, which plans to start mining rare earth minerals in Greenland by 2026, highlights the intersection of corporate and political interests in this geopolitical chess game.
Trump’s obsession with Greenland is ultimately about more than just territorial expansion or resource acquisition; it is a manifestation of his broader quest for global dominance and his fear of China’s rising economic power. By targeting Greenland’s mineral wealth, Trump aims to secure the resources needed for the U.S. to maintain its technological and military superiority while undermining China’s influence in the global supply chain.
However, this strategy comes at a significant cost. It disregards the rights and aspirations of Greenland’s indigenous population, perpetuates the legacy of colonialism, and risks exacerbating geopolitical tensions in the Arctic. As the world transitions to a green energy future, the competition for critical minerals will only intensify, making it imperative to address these issues in a way that respects human rights, promotes sustainability, and fosters international cooperation. Trump’s approach, driven by ego and corporate interests, falls short of these ideals and underscores the need for a more ethical and inclusive vision of global leadership.
