Trump announces plans for oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland

President Donald J. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform after a campaign event in Wasilla, Alaska, declaring that oil, gas and rare-earth mineral exploration will begin in Greenland. The statement came as he campaigned for Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan in his bid for a third term.

The announcement follows a security agreement signed last month with Denmark and Greenland that expands U.S. military presence in the Arctic and limits non-NATO investment in strategic sectors. The deal does not grant the United States any special rights to explore Greenland’s resources, but it does pave the way for additional U.S. bases on the island.

Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, holds large deposits of rare-earth minerals and offshore oil and natural-gas potential, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Extraction has historically been limited by the region’s climate and lack of infrastructure.

"From a security purpose in the defense and offense of both the United States of America and Europe, the island is second to none," Trump wrote. "Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived."

Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Greenland’s mining ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s representative in the Danish parliament, told Danish broadcaster TV2 that she views Trump’s post as a bid for attention and does not attach significance to his remarks.

The United States currently maintains a small military presence at Pituffik Space Base, supporting missile warning and space surveillance for NATO. Trump has previously said the United States will "immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations," including the construction of two major bases.