At the end of September, the USA, Greenland, and Denmark entered into a new security and defense agreement regarding Greenland after lengthy negotiations. (Photo: © Thomas Traasdahl, Ritzau Scanpix)
By Ritzau ( [email protected] ) 54 minutes ago
If the USA is to explore for oil and other raw materials in Greenland, it must happen within the framework of Greenlandic legislation, as Greenland has taken over this area of responsibility from Denmark.
And investors from the USA also do not have first right to access to raw materials in Greenland.
This is stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a written response to Ritzau.
- The raw materials area has been taken over by Greenland's Self-Government. If the USA wishes to explore the Greenlandic subsoil for oil, gas, and minerals, it would have to happen within the framework of relevant Greenlandic legislation.
- That is not changed by the agreement of 22 September 2026 between Greenland, Denmark, and the USA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states.
The response comes after the US President, Donald Trump, on Wednesday morning Danish time wrote on Truth Social that "preparations are being made for a comprehensive exploration of oil, gas, and minerals in our new and beautiful Greenland."
- There are experts who claim that the amount of easily accessible oil is far greater than in almost any other country in the world, Donald Trump wrote.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not comment on Trump's statement about an upcoming "comprehensive exploration of oil, gas, and minerals" in the ministry's response.
Read also: Trump fuels ambitions for American oil adventure in Greenland ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/udland/trump-puster-til-ambitioner-om-amerikansk-olie-eventyr-i-groenland )
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No ministers have commented
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But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs further states that investors from the USA do not have "any preferential position compared to investors from other NATO countries, EU countries, and NATO partners when it comes to access to raw materials in Greenland."
Neither ministers from the Danish nor the Greenlandic government have yet commented on Donald Trump's post.
But earlier on Wednesday, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, who is the permanent secretary in Greenland's Department for Business, Raw Materials, Energy, Justice, and Equality, spoke to American CNN.
He said that there are "activities from American companies" in Greenland, but it is "very far from a massive exploration" of oil.
- There are many smaller explorations underway, but it can take years before they become operational, Jørgen Hammeken-Holm told CNN.
At the end of September, the USA, Greenland, and Denmark entered into a new security and defense agreement on Greenland after lengthy negotiations.
This happened at a signing ceremony in the UN building in New York City, shortly after Donald Trump had given a speech at the UN General Assembly.
With the agreement, the USA helps decide, for example, who can drill for oil in Greenland.
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