Donald Trump announces massive exploration of Greenland’s resources

United States President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that “massive” exploration activities for oil, gas and mineral deposits in Greenland would begin. The American leader provided no details about the scale or timeline of the operations, but said the island could have significant oil reserves.

Trump cited experts who believe that the volume of easily accessible oil in Greenland could be greater than in almost any other region of the world. The statement brings Washington’s strategic and economic interest in the autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty back into focus.

The announcement comes after the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement last month intended to end tensions sparked by Trump’s repeated threats to take control of the island. The document reaffirms Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.

The agreement also expands the role of the U.S. military in Greenland and paves the way for the construction of two new military bases, as well as the installation of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Trump said the island’s location is essential to U.S. defense and claimed that future attacks on American territory could pass through Greenland.