Strategic minerals: why Greenland entered the radar of the USA, China and Russia

The dispute over Greenland’s strategic minerals The advance of climate change is transforming Greenland into a key player in the geopolitical dispute in the Arctic. With the melting of the ice, the largest island in the world becomes more accessible, attracting the attention of the United States, in a scenario marked by the growing presence of Russia and China in the region. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp “We need Greenland for national security reasons, not for the minerals. That whole area is becoming very important, and for many reasons,” said Donald Trump, President of the United States. One of these reasons lies in the island’s subsoil. Global warming has been accelerating the melting of Greenland’s ice sheets, facilitating access to a practically intact reserve of natural resources. The territory is rich in so-called rare earth minerals, used in the manufacture of wind turbines, electric car batteries, semiconductors, military fighter jets, satellites and drones — central components of modern technology. Estimates indicate that Greenland contains more than 36 million tons of these minerals. China currently dominates about 60% of global rare earth production, giving Beijing control over global prices and supply. This dominance was evident in 2025, when Trump announced a significant increase in tariffs on Chinese products. In response, China suspended exports of two critical minerals to the United States. These elements that are also present in the soil of Greenland. Faced with such wealth, the question is inevitable: why hasn’t mining advanced on the island yet? The answer lies in extreme conditions. Greenland has a harsh climate, extensive areas covered in ice, few roads and virtually no infrastructure. Under these circumstances, exploring minerals is expensive and logistically complex. This scenario, however, is changing. The Arctic warms about four times faster than the rest of the planet. As the ice retreats, access to mineral deposits becomes simpler and less expensive. Although Trump minimizes economic interest, Greenland remains on the United States’ strategic radar, especially at a time of intensifying Russian and Chinese activities in the region. READ ALSO Greenland is smaller than maps show Why Trump says Greenland is vital to building the Golden Dome; INFOGRAPHIC US says sending European troops to Greenland does not change Trump’s position on the island VIDEOS: most watched on g1

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