Trump says 'massive' oil, gas and mineral exploration to begin in Greenland

President Donald Trump said that a "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration was preparing to begin in Greenland, without giving details of prospective American involvement.

"Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that "the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost... anywhere in the World."

Trump also hailed Greenland as "second to none" for US and European security on Wednesday, saying any future attack on America would have to pass through the Arctic island.

Greenland "from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none," Trump said on Truth Social.

He added any future attacks on the US would have to come across Greenland, "where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived".

The United States, Denmark and Greenland last month signed a security agreement, aimed at ‌ending tensions after Trump's repeated threats to take control of the ⁠strategically located and mineral-rich island.

Read moreUS, Denmark and Greenland sign security deal to bolster Arctic security

The agreement is still subject to a second reading in Greenland's parliament before being put to a vote, with lawmakers ​expected to pass the legislation.

The deal expands the US ‌military's role in Greenland, paving the way for two new military bases and Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defence system, while reaffirming Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination.