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Why is Trump so insistent on Greenland? Rare Earths, the Arctic Route and Europe: What the US Aims for

2026-01-05 23:11:13Fokus SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Greenland

"We need Greenland for international security. We need it. Absolutely." US President Donald Trump renewed his threats against the Danish island. A day after the operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and after the shocking announcement of his desire to "take control" of Venezuela until there is an orderly transition, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has declared that his country needs Greenland, a statement that has caused the reaction of Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.

Geostrategic importance

The ice-covered region is gaining increasing geostrategic importance. It is the largest island in the world, four times the size of France, but 80% covered by white space. It has become a central element in the global balance of power between the great powers, the US, Russia, China and Europe, not only for its mineral resources, but especially for its geopolitical position.

Since taking office in the White House, Donald Trump has never hidden his desire to make Greenland American. Before Christmas 2024 he declared that control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for national security and freedom in the world. Now he is back on the offensive again. The irritated reaction of Copenhagen, as well as other European capitals, is expected to be immediate, with Paris at the forefront, which has denounced the statements as a form of imperialism.

What Greenland represents for the US

Greenland is an autonomous territory, with justice, monetary policy, foreign policy, defense, and security directly dependent on Copenhagen. “However, since its capital is closer to New York than Copenhagen, Greenland is clearly in the area of ??interest of the United States,” historian Astrid Andersen from the Danish Institute for International Studies has pointed out. These assessments have also been reflected in several international media outlets.

"During the war, when Denmark was occupied by Germany, the United States took control of Greenland. In a sense, they never left," the researcher explains.

Competition with China

The ambitions of the United States are directly related to the strategic competition with China. Beijing has a strong presence on the island. It has signed agreements to build several airports and has secured rights to several mines, including in the south of the island, notably a uranium mine. According to some analysts, China has become the mouthpiece of the demand for independence of the inhabitants of Greenland.

For this reason, the Biden administration has also taken quite strong political action to limit Chinese influence and, as a result, has opened a diplomatic mission in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

Rare earths, resources and Arctic routes

The American interest is also economic, due to the presence on the island of many natural resources, such as hydrocarbons, rare earths and raw materials. These minerals are critical for the energy transition and for efforts to cope with the climate emergency. Greenland is a direct observer of these changes, due to the continuous melting of glaciers, which are opening up new Arctic shipping routes.

"This situation could pose a risk at an international geopolitical level and would turn the island into a very difficult conflict zone for Europe, where China and the United States face off," explains Angela Stefania Bergantino, professor of Economics at the University of Bari and expert on geopolitics, especially the role of Greenland.

"Greenland represents an extremely important military strategic point for the US, an element that should not be underestimated and that could significantly influence the geopolitical context, even for developments in the coming years," she adds.

One of NATO's most important bases is located in Greenland and is managed directly by the Americans. / Analysis by Corriere della Sera

 


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