Greenland 'Treasure' Coveted by Trump... Fierce Resource Battle Intensified by Global Warming

A view of the coast near Kangerlussuaq, western Greenland, on the 7th (local time). Sled dogs are resting. Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

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As President-elect Donald Trump once again strongly expressed his intention to purchase Greenland, diplomatic tensions between the United States and Denmark are escalating. On the surface, Trump claims the security rationale that Greenland, a strategic point connecting Europe and North America, must be protected from hostile countries such as Russia and China. However, analysts suggest that behind this is a hidden agenda to seize Greenland's vast rare earth resources, which have been revealed due to the rapid melting of glaciers caused by global warming.

On the 7th (local time), Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, is giving a speech at a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News

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At a press conference on the 7th (local time), Trump stated regarding control over Greenland and the Panama Canal, "I cannot affirm the exclusion of military or economic coercion," adding, "It is very important for the economic and national security of the United States." Specifically about Greenland, he pressured, saying, "If Denmark interferes with a vote by Greenland residents to decide on independence or incorporation into the United States, we will impose high tariffs."

After announcing last month his intention to re-pursue the purchase of Greenland, which is Danish territory, Trump reiterated his strong desire to acquire it. Subsequently, Trump's eldest son, Trump Jr., visited Greenland. However, Trump Jr. clarified that he had no meetings with politicians or influential figures in Greenland, explaining, "I was just there for tourism, and my father asked me to send his greetings to all Greenlanders."

The Danish government immediately expressed displeasure regarding Trump's remarks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appeared on Danish TV2 and strongly opposed, stating, "Greenland is not for sale. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders." This is the first time the Danish Prime Minister has directly opposed Trump's intention to purchase Greenland.

Glacier view on the coast of the Kulusuk area in southeastern Greenland. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

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Despite diplomatic friction with the Danish government, the apparent reason Trump wants to incorporate Greenland into U.S. territory is to check Russian and Chinese influence. Greenland, a strategic point connecting Europe and the North American continent, could become an anti-American area if hostile countries forcibly occupy or exert political influence, which would negatively impact U.S. security.

Earlier on the 6th, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, "Greenland is an amazing place, and if it becomes part of the United States, people will see tremendous benefits," emphasizing, "We must protect Greenland from the evil outside world and cherish it."

In fact, not only the United States but also countries adjacent to the Arctic Circle are concerned about Russia and China's advances into the Arctic Ocean and their military threats. According to The New York Times (NYT), since the 2010s, Russia and China have been opening Arctic routes and strengthening military cooperation in the Arctic region, conducting joint icebreaker fleet exercises annually.

On the 7th of last month, Canadian Foreign Minister M?lanie Joly said at a press conference, "Russia and China are joining hands to expand their influence in the Arctic region," adding, "It is very concerning that Russia is testing the deployment of missiles in the Arctic region capable of striking North America and Europe. Going forward, we will deploy new patrol ships, destroyers, and icebreakers capable of operating under the ice, and increase aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in cooperation with the United States and Arctic-adjacent countries."

On the 7th (local time), Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President-elect Donald Trump, arrived in Nuuk, Greenland, and took a commemorative photo. Photo by AP and Yonhap News

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However, there is also analysis that Trump’s desire for Greenland is not solely for geopolitical gains. Due to ongoing global warming, large-scale rare earth deposits have been exposed in Greenland, and the reduction of glaciers has expanded shipping routes, significantly increasing its economic value.

According to the American Geographical Society (AGS), Greenland is richly endowed with underground resources such as oil, natural gas, iron, copper, uranium, nickel, tungsten, titanium, cobalt, gold, and platinum. In particular, more than 600 million tons of rare earth elements are estimated to be deposited, with a value exceeding $10 trillion (approximately 1,450 trillion Korean won). Since the 1970s, due to global warming, 47% of the glaciers covering Greenland have melted, exposing large-scale rare earth deposits on the surface, raising expectations for the emergence of more rare earth mines in the future.

Moreover, shipping in the Arctic Ocean area, including Greenland, has significantly increased due to glacier reduction. According to CNN, cargo ship traffic in the Arctic Ocean region has increased by more than 37% over the past ten years from 2014 to last year. The ice-free period during which cargo ships can operate without icebreakers has greatly extended due to global warming, and if global warming continues, permanent ports capable of year-round operation are expected to emerge.

Professor Klaus Dodds, a geopolitics expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, explained in an interview with CNN, "What might be even more attractive to Trump is Greenland’s abundant natural resources," adding, "Trump and his associates likely hope that Greenland will become a region where rare earth elements can be supplied stably, independent from China, which dominates the global rare earth market."

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