Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede signaled willingness Monday to strengthen defense and mining ties with the United States, while emphasizing the Arctic nation’s autonomy in decision-making following renewed US interest in the territory.
The statement comes after US President-elect Donald Trump revived his earlier proposal to acquire the mineral-rich territory, describing American control of Greenland as an “absolute necessity.” Trump takes office January 20.
“Greenland’s independence is Greenland’s business, also in relation to the use of its land, so it is also Greenland that will decide what agreement we should come to,” Egede said at a press conference in Nuuk, where he has convened party leaders to discuss a unified approach to US interest.
The strategic importance of Greenland lies partly in its vast mineral wealth. A 2023 survey identified 25 of 34 minerals deemed “critical raw materials” by the European Commission, including rare earth elements crucial for electric vehicles and wind turbines, copper, nickel, zinc, and gold. While oil and natural gas extraction is banned for environmental reasons, mining development has been slowed by bureaucratic hurdles and opposition from indigenous people.
While Trump hasn’t ruled out military or economic pressure, Vice President-elect JD Vance dismissed the possibility of using military force in a Sunday Fox News interview, though he emphasized Greenland’s strategic value.
“It was worrying when we first heard it. But the vice president said yesterday that they have no interest in using weapons. Our interest is in cooperation,” Egede noted.
The semi-autonomous Danish territory has attracted increased attention from US lawmakers, who are working to authorize purchase negotiations. Currently, several international mining companies hold exploration licenses in Greenland, including Critical Metals Corp, Neo Performance Materials, and Anglo American.
“This is the first time Greenland has been listened to in an intense way. We need to be calm and take advantage of things and stand together,” Egede said.
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One Response
The main point not mentioned is that Greenland has large uranium ressources. The rare earth and other ores contain plenty of uranium as well.
Due to ideological reasons Greenland refuses to mine uranium, oil, gas. This is the main reason for the unused ressources in Greenland.
On the other hand the Danish government subsidize Greenland with 600 M$/annually about 10k$/inhabitant. It is a bit bizarr.
If Denmark will give independence to Greenland it will get in financial trouble. Then it might be an opportunity for Canada or USA.