US President Trump is reportedly planning to establish a mineral reserve, which may allow the US to store critical rare earth minerals and metals mined from the Pacific seabed.
Among these, rare earths are key minerals for producing EVs and other advanced technology products, and are also one of the strategic resources the US hopes to obtain from Greenland. Some have pointed out that Trump aims to manufacture a large amount of resources within the US for future use, to prevent the country from being restricted by other nations in importing metals and rare earths during trade wars.
However, Minik Rosing, a geologist from Greenland and a professor at the University of Copenhagen, is unimpressed with Trump's plan to increase US mineral reserves. He emphasizes that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has not truly assessed Greenland's geological resources, and that Trump oversimplifies the processes of mining and refining.
Rosing added that China dominates the market for refining and procuring rare earths, converting them into magnets and batteries needed for cars, computers, and other products, and that the US acquiring Greenland would not change this landscape.
A Sugar-Coated Placebo
A significant reason for Trump's delusion of acquiring Greenland is that the US could gain valuable mineral resources and ensure its continued leadership in high-risk, high-tech global competition.
This argument is based on a 2008 survey report released by the USGS, which stated that Greenland possesses 43 of the 50 mineral resources deemed crucial by the US, and that the island's coastal oil wells contain 52 billion barrels of oil resources.
But Rosing, who has been studying geology in Greenland, stated that there is a widespread lack of detailed understanding of geology, mining, and minerals, leading to almost mythical misconceptions about the true situation of rare earth elements. In fact, large deposits of rare earths are known to exist worldwide, and there is no indication that Greenland's minerals and rare earth elements are exceptionally abundant.
He also mentioned that Greenland's minerals remain undeveloped not because the government is waiting for a higher price, but because mining is unprofitable. The US states of California and Alaska already have many undeveloped rare earth resources, so there is no need to view Greenland as a treasure trove.
Rosing emphasized that both Europe and the US lack the technology to refine raw materials and process them into products, and that the West is also deficient in manufacturing capabilities, which is the key issue. The West wants to reduce external dependencies, but the problem is not about acquiring more territory, but about developing raw material processing facilities and fostering competitive markets, which involve substantial economic subsidies and political will.
Therefore, he is particularly puzzled by Trump's desire to acquire Greenland, as Greenland has been seeking US financial support for minerals for thirty years, but has achieved nothing.
He described the atmosphere within Trump's inner circle that promotes Greenland as building a mirage, with politicians portraying the acquisition of Greenland as a quick path to wealth, but the reality is quite the opposite.
