Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been making headlines lately due to its vast reserves of rare earth elements. These elements are crucial components in the production of high-tech devices such as smartphones, electric cars, and military equipment. With the growing demand for these elements, Greenland has become a hot topic among world leaders, particularly US President Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in annexing the territory.
However, experts say that while Greenland does hold large quantities of rare earth elements, the process of annexation may not necessarily improve US access to them. Despite Trump’s persistence, leaders across Europe, including Denmark, which currently owns Greenland, have voiced strong objections to the idea.
The debate over Greenland’s rare earth elements began when the US Geological Survey released a report in 2018 stating that the island holds vast deposits of these elements. This sparked interest from the US, China, and other countries who heavily rely on these elements for their technological advancements. Currently, China dominates the rare earth element market, producing over 70% of the world’s supply. This has raised concerns among other countries, including the US, about their dependence on China for these critical resources.
President Trump, known for his “America First” policies, has been vocal about his desire to secure US access to Greenland’s rare earth elements. In August 2019, he even went as far as to suggest buying the island from Denmark, stating that it would be “strategically interesting” for the US. This sparked a diplomatic row between the US and Denmark, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the idea “absurd.”
Despite the backlash, President Trump has remained persistent in his efforts to take over Greenland. He has even cancelled a planned state visit to Denmark in September 2019, citing the country’s refusal to discuss the sale of Greenland as the reason.
However, experts argue that annexing Greenland may not be the solution to the US’s rare earth element problem. Firstly, acquiring Greenland would be a costly and complex process, as it would require the approval of not only Denmark but also the Greenlandic government and its people. This process could take years and would also come with a hefty price tag.
Moreover, Greenland’s rare earth elements are not easily accessible. They are located in remote and harsh environments, making their extraction and processing a challenging and expensive task. This is why despite having the largest reserves of these elements, Greenland only produces a small fraction of the world’s supply.
Additionally, even if the US were to acquire Greenland, it would not guarantee them exclusive access to its rare earth elements. Greenland is a sovereign nation with its own laws and regulations, and any decision on the extraction and export of its resources would be made by the Greenlandic government, not the US.
Furthermore, the US already has access to rare earth elements through its partnerships with other countries. For instance, Australia, Canada, and Brazil are also significant producers of these elements and have strong trade relations with the US. Diversifying its supply chain and strengthening these partnerships would be a more feasible and cost-effective solution for the US.
In conclusion, while Greenland does hold significant reserves of rare earth elements, annexing the territory may not be the solution to the US’s access to them. The process would be complicated, expensive, and may not guarantee exclusive access. Instead, the US should focus on diversifying its supply chain and strengthening its partnerships with other countries to ensure a steady supply of these critical resources. As for Greenland, the decision on the extraction and export of its resources should be made by its government and people, not by outside forces.
