Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that major oil, gas and mineral exploration was being prepared in Greenland, without identifying the companies involved, a timetable or the approvals required.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed the Arctic island contained vast, readily accessible oil resources. He did not provide evidence supporting the estimates, Anadolu Agency reported.
The announcement came as global energy prices remained elevated more than seven months into the Iran war.
Trump also presented Greenland as important to US and European defence, saying its location would help detect and intercept potential aerial threats.
He claimed future attacks on the US would cross Greenland and said the island offered advantages in warning time and visibility.
His remarks followed a September agreement between Washington, Denmark and Greenland to expand the US military presence, including additional bases and missile defence capabilities, according to the report.
Despite Trump’s language suggesting American ownership, Greenland remains a self governing territory within Denmark. The agreement recognises Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self determination.
Greenland stopped issuing new oil and gas exploration licences in 2021 because of environmental and climate concerns. Previously granted licences remain valid, the report said.
Trump’s announcement did not explain whether the proposed activity would take place under existing licences or require a change in Greenland’s policy.
The statement also did not distinguish between estimated oil resources and commercially recoverable reserves or identify which mineral projects were being prepared.
Those details remain necessary to establish the scope of the proposal and how it would proceed under Greenland’s existing rules. The reported military agreement does not itself establish permission for the resource exploration Trump described.
