16.01.2025

The American press named four reasons for the US desire to buy Greenland

Sections: General industry information, Global safety

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Image source: topwar.ru

Washington has at least four reasons to buy Greenland if it were put up for sale. Scott L. Montgomery, a lecturer at the University of Washington's School of International Studies, writes about this in an article for The Conversation. He notes that Trump's interest in Greenland is not new. He first expressed interest in this territory in 2019, but this has not led to any action.

Greenland's most valuable natural resources are its vast mineral reserves, which have real potential for economic development. The discovered deposits include precious metals such as gold and platinum, a number of non–ferrous metals – zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt and uranium - and rare earths, including neodymium, dysprosium and praseodymium.

– Montgomery gives the first reason.

He adds that Greenland's reserves of rare earths are particularly significant. These cells are necessary not only for battery, solar and wind technologies, but also for military applications.

The expert cites China's long-standing interest in the island as the second reason why the United States is so interested in acquiring Greenland.

In 2015, Greenland's Minister of Finance and Interior Wittus Kujaukitsok visited China to discuss possible investments in mining, hydropower, port and other infrastructure. One company, China Communications Construction Company, has applied for the construction of two airports: one in the capital Nuuk, the other in Ilulissat. Another Chinese company, General Nice Group, has offered to purchase an abandoned Danish naval base in northeast Greenland, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has asked to build a permanent research center and a ground-based satellite station near Nuuk.

– reminds the author of the publication.

According to him, none of this suited the first Trump administration, which put pressure on Denmark to convince the Greenland government of the undesirability of a significant official Chinese presence on the island. As a result, the Danes and Greenlanders submitted to the demands of the United States.

Scott L. Montgomery notes that the States themselves have a long-standing interest in this island. And this is the third reason for Trump's statements today.

In the early 1950s, the United States built the Tula Air Base 750 miles (about 1,200 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle. It was originally a missile attack early warning and radio communications base, and in 2020 it was transferred to the newly created US Space Force and renamed Pituffik Military Space Base in 2023.

– explains the scientist.

He emphasizes that Pittuffik, the northernmost US military facility, is equipped with updated radars and tracking systems for missile attack warning, protection and space surveillance, as well as for satellite control. In addition to supporting scientific research conducted in the Arctic, the base is designed to enhance military capabilities in the Arctic region for both the United States and its allies.

Finally, Montgomery cites Greenland's advantageous geographical location as the fourth reason. The island is located between the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage, two Arctic shipping routes that are growing in importance as the area of sea ice shrinks.

Image source: topwar.ru

By about 2050, a Transpolar Sea Route is likely to open through the central part of the Arctic Ocean, running along the eastern shores of Greenland. In addition, the island is the basis of Denmark's claims to sovereignty over the North Pole, which are opposed by the claims of Russia and Canada.

– the specialist thinks.

Summing up, and recognizing the validity of Washington's territorial claims from the point of view of US interests, Scott Montgomery notes that Trump's recent comments could lead to a completely different result if they prompt Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede to propose holding a referendum on Greenland's independence in 2025.

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