Trump announces massive oil, gas and mineral exploration plans in Greenland, touts national security benefits

Trump’s Greenland deal expands permanent US military presence in Arctic

Fox News correspondent Jeff Paul reports on President Donald Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and Ukrainian energy targets. Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen breaks down a security agreement with Denmark granting the U.S. permanent military access and airspace control in Greenland, including plans to reopen a Cold War-era base.

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President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration was expected to begin in Greenland.

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

"There are Experts that are saying that the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World and, even more importantly, from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none," he continued.

"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 added.

TRUMP'S GREENLAND FIXATION REVEALED AS WARS EXPOSE WHY THE ARCTIC ISLAND MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

President Donald Trump announced plans for "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland on Oct. 14, 2026, while emphasizing the Arctic island's strategic importance to U.S. national security. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump said Greenland "gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!"

Trump did not immediately provide additional details about when or how the exploration would begin.

Greenland's government stopped issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses in 2021, citing environmental and climate concerns. Some previously issued licenses remain valid, although drilling requires additional government approvals. Greenland is believed to hold significant untapped oil and gas resources, but commercially recoverable reserves have not been established.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump's comments come after the U.S., Denmark and Greenland signed a new security agreement last month expanding U.S. military access to the strategically important Arctic island.

While the U.S. already had extensive military rights in Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement, the new arrangement expands Washington's ability to establish additional military facilities, subject to consultation and procedures outlined in the agreement.

SECURITY EXPERT HAILS TRUMP'S GREENLAND PACT AS A 'BIG DEAL' ON PAR WITH ALASKA PURCHASE

Melting Arctic sea ice is creating new shipping opportunities, while Greenland's significant mineral resources have drawn growing international interest. (Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/Getty Images)

The agreement also restricts military installations by non-NATO countries and establishes safeguards against potentially threatening foreign investments in sensitive sectors, including natural resources and critical infrastructure.

Although Trump had sought to acquire Greenland, repeatedly arguing that U.S. ownership was necessary for national security, the new agreement did not grant U.S. sovereignty over the island.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining authority over foreign, defense and security policy while Greenland controls many of its domestic affairs, including mineral resources.

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Demonstrators hold Greenlandic flags and signs outside the U.S. Consulate before marching in protest of President Donald Trump’s push for the United States to acquire Greenland on Jan. 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips and Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report.