Overview
- President Trump renewed plans to act on Greenland to counter Chinese and Russian influence, but experts say the barrier is the Arctic’s extreme conditions and logistics rather than Denmark’s sovereignty.
- Greenland lacks roads, rail and power, operations can cost five to ten times more than elsewhere, and many rare earths are trapped in eudialyte rock with no proven profitable processing method.
- Strict environmental oversight, a 2021 ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration, and uranium by‑product concerns limit large projects in the fragile Arctic setting.
- China dominates rare‑earth production and processing and can depress prices, while the United States is channeling support to nearer‑term suppliers such as MP Materials and domestic magnet makers.
- Exploration dominates on the ground despite a stock‑boosting pilot‑plant plan by Critical Metals, and local voices welcome investment but not a takeover, with a 2025 poll showing only 6% favor joining the United States.