Trump’s Greenland Pursuit: Strategic and Economic Interests

Why in the news?

Former US President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, citing strategic and economic reasons, including countering China’s Arctic influence and leveraging Greenland’s rare earth minerals critical for defense, renewable energy, and emerging technologies.

Trump’s Greenland Pursuit: Strategic and Economic Interests

Background of US-Greenland Relations:

  • Greenland: World’s largest island, autonomous province of Denmark, abundant in natural resources like rare earth minerals.
  • Historical US interest: 1946 purchase attempt citing security concerns during the Cold War.
  • 1941 defense agreement: Allowed US troops in Greenland to counter German aggression.
  • US maintained military bases like the Thule Air Base despite the rejected purchase offer.

Trump’s Renewed Interest in Greenland

  • Donald Trump: Renewed desire to acquire Greenland for strategic protection of the “free world.”
  • 2019 controversy: Visit to Denmark canceled after the Prime Minister rejected Trump’s purchase offer, calling it “absurd.”
  • In 2025, Trump claimed Greenlanders supported joining the US, framing it as a global freedom initiative.

Geopolitical and Economic Motivations

  • Greenland’s critical minerals (e.g., neodymium, dysprosium) are vital for renewable energy, defense, and electronics industries.
  • China’s dominance in rare earth markets and its investments in Greenland raised US concerns.
  • Chinese influence in Arctic mining and infrastructure linked to their Polar Silk Road
  • Trump cited Chinese and Russian activities in the Arctic as a threat, advocating for Greenland under US control.

Key Facts About Greenland:

  • Largest Island: Greenland is the world’s largest island, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
  • Territory of Denmark: It is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark.
  • Geographical Features:
  • Major mountain ranges include the Watkins Range and Stauning Alps.
  • Rivers like Borglum and Majorqaq flow across the island.
  • Three-quarters of its surface is covered by a permanent ice sheet.
  • Mining History: Since the late 1700s, Greenland has mined coal, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, graphite, and marble.
  • Population: Predominantly inhabited by Inuit communities who migrated from Alaska via Northern Canada.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times