As Arctic ice diminishes, Greenland – the world’s largest island and a self-governing territory of Denmark – is increasingly central to geopolitical strategy. Beyond its vast, untapped natural resources and crucial strategic location, the island has drawn renewed interest from global powers, most notably the United States, sparking debate over its future and raising concerns among the greenlandic population. This report examines the complex interplay of climate change,resource competition,and international power dynamics shaping the future of this pivotal Arctic territory.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is increasingly at the center of geopolitical attention as climate change unlocks access to its vast natural resources and strategic location. The island’s potential has drawn interest from global powers, particularly the United States, prompting renewed discussions about its future and sparking concerns among its population. This renewed focus on Greenland underscores the shifting dynamics in the Arctic region and the growing competition for resources and influence.
The Desired Island
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a relationship that dates back to 1814. More than 80% of its surface is covered by ice, but its position between North America, Europe, and Russia has long made it a target for major powers. The United States, in particular, has consistently viewed Greenland as strategically important.
Greenland is a crucial crossroads as the Arctic opens to navigation © Temps Noir/ARTE GEIE
Interest in acquiring Greenland isn’t new. As far back as 1946, President Truman proposed to Denmark the purchase of the island for $100 million, an offer that was ultimately rejected. However, an agreement was reached in 1941 allowing the United States to establish military bases on Greenland, a presence that continues to this day.
“The ownership and control of Greenland are an imperative necessity“
That agreement stipulated the U.S. could remain on the island indefinitely if it perceived a threat to its security, according to Jens Heinrich, a historian and head of the Representation of Greenland in Copenhagen. The Thule Air Base, now known as Pituffik, once housed around 10,000 personnel in the 1960s. Today, it has a much smaller contingent of approximately 100 personnel, but remains a vital component of the U.S. missile defense system and satellite surveillance network.
Despite these existing privileges, former President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed his desire to gain control of Greenland, most notably in 2019, and continues to advocate for it. “The ownership and control of Greenland are an imperative necessity,” he has stated.
The world is watching Greenland, with its capital city swarming with international press.
These declarations have sparked a strong reaction from the Greenlandic people, who aspire to independence from Denmark and find themselves caught in a power struggle with the United States. “You can’t simply buy a territory or its people,” warned Kuupik Kleist, a former Prime Minister of Greenland.
“Many people feel that there has been a tremendous lack of respect for the people who live here“
The population, stunned by the perceived audacity and self-interest of the U.S., has voiced opposition to Trump’s proposals. Consultant Mira Kleist noted that “many people feel that there has been a tremendous lack of respect for the people who live here.”
Greenlanders protest against Donald Trump’s attempts to purchase their island © Temps Noir/ARTE GEIE
Climate Change and Economic Gain
Experts suggest that beyond maintaining a military presence, President Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland stems from its rich natural resources. “Minerals play a key role,” revealed Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s Minister of Resources.
Greenland: Could melting ice facilitate access to its natural resources?
The Arctic is warming at four to six times the rate of the rest of the planet, and Greenland is at the forefront of this crisis. This warming is creating a paradoxical situation: as its ice melts, it intensifies the desire of global powers to exploit its resources. “Is this a good thing? Absolutely not,” emphasized Paul Bierman, a geologist and professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Vermont.
Some mining companies already have permits to extract rare earth minerals © Temps Noir/ARTE GEIE
The island’s subsoil contains gold, oil, gas, and 37 of the 50 minerals essential for the green transition and the arms industry. It also holds some of the largest reserves of rare earth minerals on the planet. This makes Greenland a highly coveted territory for mining companies and global powers. “We could be an El Dorado in terms of resources, but we will decide how to use them,” Nathanielsen asserted.
Beyond its valuable resources, major powers are also eyeing the new shipping routes that climate change is opening in Greenland, which would significantly shorten international maritime transport. “I believe that the land, the sea, the air, and the seabed have become paramount, and not just for Russia, but also for China,” explained Julia Neishenwat, former National Security Advisor to President Trump in 2020.
An area of Greenland with melted ice, opening up maritime routes in the Arctic © Temps Noir/ARTE GEIE
Greenland and the New International Order
Geopolitically, China’s expansionism and Russia’s ambitions are causing concern for the U.S. Now, in his second term, gaining control and dominance over the island is a priority for President Trump’s agenda. Visits from his envoys to Greenland have intimidated both the population and the European Union.
“I just want them to know that Europeans perceive what happened as an attack on a European territory“
The French President stated during his recent trip to Greenland that everyone in the European Union believes the island is neither for sale nor for anyone to seize. “I just want them to know that Europeans perceive what happened as an attack on a European territory.”
Since then, several European countries have increased joint military exercises in the Arctic to demonstrate Europe’s military independence from the United States. Peter Viggo Jakobsen, a professor of International Relations at the Royal Danish Defence College, concluded that “we have reached an unofficial conclusion in Denmark: we can no longer rely on the United States.”
The uncertainty surrounding the future of this territory, whose location and strategic wealth could reshape the international order established since World War II, puts a significant part of our global future at stake.
