Resource exploration to begin in Greenland: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland, while he hailed the arctic island’s position for US and European security.

Washington this year signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Greenland, which lies on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the US, represents a highly strategic location for Trump’s planned “Golden Dome” defense shield. It also has untapped rare earth deposits.

US President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Wasilla, Alaska, on Tuesday.

Photo: Bloomberg

“Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!” Trump said on Truth Social.

Citing experts, Trump said “the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost... anywhere in the World.”

He did not give details of prospective US involvement.

In August, media reported that a US oil company had begun preparatory operations in a remote region of eastern Greenland, while Trump last month signed a security deal with the leaders of Greenland and Denmark.

Under the 10-page pact, the US is to build two military bases in southern and eastern Greenland.

In the same message on Truth Social, Trump hailed Greenland’s position as “second to none” for US and European security.

“Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived,” Trump said. “It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!”