Trump: "Greenland Deal Includes Mineral Development Rights and Golden Dome"

President Trump Speaks with CNBC
Greenland at the Forefront of Homeland Security

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the agreement reached with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding Greenland will include the Golden Dome (America's next-generation missile defense system) and U.S. mineral development rights.

In an interview with CNBC on the 21st (local time), President Trump said, "The framework for the Greenland negotiations has been established, and I have withdrawn the plan to impose tariffs," adding, "Europe will also participate in the Golden Dome and will be involved in mineral development in Greenland. We will do the same." He further stated that the new Greenland agreement will last "forever."

The Golden Dome is a next-generation aerial missile defense system promoted by President Trump. The cost alone amounts to 175 billion dollars (approximately 240 trillion won). Geographically, Greenland is located at the northernmost point of the Western Hemisphere (the Americas), making it extremely important to U.S. security strategy.

On the same day, President Trump gave a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF, Davos Forum) annual meeting, saying, "Greenland holds an important strategic position between Russia and China," and "This is for national and international security, not because of the minerals buried hundreds of feet below." This is interpreted in the same context.

Economic considerations also appear to be a factor. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Greenland's rare earth reserves amount to 1.8 million tons, ranking eighth in the world. This is similar in scale to the reserves in the U.S. mainland (about 1.9 million tons). Depending on the outcome of the negotiations, there is an advantage that the U.S. can secure additional rare earth elements, which China uses as a means of economic sanctions.