Why does Trump want Greenland? The Danish island is strategic and very rich in natural resources

Greenlandthe largest island in the world, covered with 80% ice and under the control of Denmark With barely 57,000 inhabitants, after the statements of Donald Trump, it has become the protagonist of statements by almost all leaders of the first world.

The newly elected President of the United States (US) has expressed his interest in purchasing this Arctic territory from Denmark – as the US did with Alaska as early as 1867 – and if this is refused he does not rule out ‘the use of military or military resources’. economic measures.” According to Trump, “Greenland is an incredible place (…) we need it for our economic and national security interests.”

But… Why does Trump want it? What makes Greenland so valuable?

1) Very rich in natural resources

Greenland, despite being a frozen and inhospitable area, has a rich subsoil, which stores various natural resources: oil, gas, gold, uranium…

According to the United States Geological Survey, the area collects a large amount oilof which 13% is still undiscovered. The thaw makes it possible that this resource, previously inaccessible, is no longer accessible.

Moreover, Greenland contains 30% of the reserves of natural gas of the world, and an even more valuable element: the rare earth. These are 17 chemical elements that rarely occur in the Earth’s crust. Rare earth metals are vital for the production of technologies and consumer products. They are used to produce batteries for electric cars, mobile phones and weapons and are also used in the renewable energy industry.

This is currently the largest producer of these valuable minerals Chinaand that’s where the battle between the US and the Asian giant comes into play, as the United States imports 8 out of 10 of these rare earth elements from China.

2) New navigation route

He thaw of the Arctic has opened new navigation routes, which save costs and time compared to the current ones – ships have to cross the Suez or Panama Canal. The new call Transport route It would allow ships to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via Greenland, Canada and Alaska.

Therefore, eventual control of Greenland would give the United States an advantage over competitors such as Russia, Canada, the Scandinavian countries and, again, China.

3) Defensive element

Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian war Russia has increased its military presence in the Arctic. Parallel, China He has acquired shares in several local energy and mining companies and even tried to buy an abandoned military base years ago.

The United States already has a military presence in the area, under an alliance with Canada. However, the ongoing thaw increases its geopolitical importance. Trump himself has claimed that Greenland is key to the “national security” of the United States.

Multiple purchase attempts

The colonization of Greenland dates back to the 10th century, although the island did not come under the control of Denmark until the 19th century. Since 1979 it has enjoyed autonomy from the metropolis and in 2008 Copenhagen relinquished most of its powers, with the exception of important security areas such as foreign policy or defense. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to declare its independence through a referendum.

“Greenland is not for sale,” both local Prime Minister Mute Egede and the head of Denmark’s central government, Mette Frederiksen, have emphasized.

The United States proposed purchasing Greenland as early as 1867. Nearly eight decades later, in 1946, then-President Harry S. Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold. Trump hasn’t said how much he would be willing to pay now, but he has made his interest public even though he hasn’t even taken office yet.