US-China rare earth race puts Greenland in crosshairs of Trump
Jan 12, 2026 #Greenland #Trump #USPolitics
Fishing remains the backbone of Greenland’s economy and a way of life for many communities.
Jan 12, 2026 #Greenland #Trump #USPolitics
Fishing remains the backbone of Greenland’s economy and a way of life for many communities.
However, US President Donald Trump is focused on the island’s vast, largely untapped mineral wealth, amid competition with China over rare earth supplies.
Greenland holds deposits of rare earths and metals vital for technology and military industries currently dominated by China.
Local fishermen say they value freedom, tradition and ties to Denmark over US control.
Harsh conditions and limited infrastructure mean most resources remain unexploited.
Some Greenlanders see minerals as a path to future independence, but not as a pawn in a US–China rivalry.
Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from Ilulissat in western Greenland.
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