WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that massive oil, gas and mineral exploration is preparing to begin in Greenland, tying the Arctic island to U.S. energy and national security.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said exploration was getting ready to begin and that experts say easily available oil there exceeds that of almost any land. He also argued Greenland gives the United States unmatched time, location and sightline to knock down drones, missiles or other weapons aimed at America or Europe.
Trump did not name companies, locations or a start date. Greenland stopped issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses in 2021 over environmental and climate concerns. Some earlier licenses remain valid, but drilling still needs further government approvals, and commercially recoverable reserves have not been established.
The remarks come more than four weeks after the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a new security agreement expanding U.S. military access. The pact focuses on defense but also mentions resource extraction and minerals cooperation without spelling out projects.
Under the deal, the United States may expand Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation used for early missile warning, and establish additional bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, about 950 miles apart. Non-NATO countries are blocked from bases without agreement from the parties.
Greenland controls many domestic affairs including mineral resources, while Denmark retains foreign, defense and security policy. Industry analysts say Greenland minerals remain lightly explored and extraction has often been too costly for private companies.
