On October 15, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the start of large-scale exploration for oil, gas, and mineral resources in Greenland, which he referred to as "our new and beautiful" territory. This statement was made on the platform Truth Social, where Trump emphasized that the volumes of easily accessible oil in Greenland exceed those in many other regions of the world.
Context of the Agreement Between the US, Denmark, and Greenland
In September 2026, the US, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement allowing the US to strengthen its military presence on the island. However, as reported by Reuters, this agreement did not grant any rights for mineral extraction or drilling. It is important to note that Greenland had already banned uranium mining on its territory in 2021, as well as any future oil exploration.
Reactions from Denmark and Greenland
In response to Trump's statements, representatives from Denmark declined to confirm the information regarding resource exploration in Greenland. The Danish Foreign Ministry stated that any exploration activities must comply with local laws, and the agreement does not provide US investors with any preferential treatment. The Deputy Minister of Mining in Greenland, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, mentioned that American companies "are engaged in certain activities" in this direction, but large-scale exploration is still a long way off.