Trump Says Resource Exploration Is Nearing Greenland

Donald Trump said on October 14 that large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland, but gave no details about a project, operator or timetable. The statement was made in a Truth Social post and has not been independently confirmed in the supplied reporting as an actual exploration effort about to start. Trump also described Greenland as exceptionally important to the security of the United States and Europe. He said any future attack on the United States would have to pass across the island, where, he said, US defenses could intercept drones, missiles and other weapons. He asserted that experts considered Greenland’s easily available oil resources greater than those of almost anywhere else. The post came after a security agreement signed in September by the United States, Denmark and Greenland. Its published terms provide for additional US defense areas at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in the east, along with expanded access for US forces. The agreement also concerns minerals cooperation and economic development, but does not explicitly describe an oil or gas exploration project.