Trump says 'massive' oil, gas and mineral exploration to begin in Greenland
France 24 · LC · trust 69/100
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that a "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration was slated to begin in Greenland. The US, Denmark and Greenland last month signed a security agreement after Trump's repeated threats to seize control of the island.
By: FRANCE 24 Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and Greenland's government leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen visit Qoornoq on September 6, 2026. © Mads Claus Rasmussen, AFP President Donald Trump said that a "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland , without giving details of prospective American involvement and hailed the Arctic island's position for US and European security.
"Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that "the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost... anywhere in the World."
Washington signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark after Trump threatened to take Copenhagen's strategically important Arctic Circle territory by force.
Read more US, Denmark and Greenland sign security deal to bolster Arctic security
Greenland, which lies on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States, represents a highly strategic location for Trump's desired "Golden Dome" defense shield.
It also has untapped rare earth deposits and could be a critical player as melting polar ice opens up new shipping routes.
In August, media reports of a US oil company's preparatory operations in a remote region of eastern Greenland left locals and authorities on the island uneasy.
Trump on Wednesday hailed Greenland as "second to none" for US and European security, saying any future attack on America would have to pass through the Arctic island.
Greenland "from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe , is second to none," Trump said on Truth Social.
He added any future attacks on the US would have to come across Greenland, "where our Defense will routinely knock down drones , missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived".
The agreement between the US, Denmark and Greenland is still subject to a second reading in Greenland's parliament before being put to a vote, with lawmakers expected to pass the legislation.
The deal expands the US military's role in Greenland, paving the way for two new military bases and Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defence system, while reaffirming Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination.
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