Trump announces massive oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland after defence pact

A post on Truth Social

Donald Trump said on Wednesday, 14 October, in a post on Truth Social that large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland is about to get under way. He called the island "our new and beautiful Greenland" but gave no details on projects, locations or timing. He claimed that experts think the reserves of readily accessible oil there dwarf those of nearly every other territory on earth. The announcement follows a defence agreement that the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed on 22 September.

Security and Trump's earlier stance

Trump also argued that Greenland is central to the defence of both America and Europe.

From a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none.

In the same post he wrote that any future attack on the United States would have to cross Greenland, where American forces would routinely intercept drones and missiles. He said the island offers time, location and a sightline that no other place in the world can match. During his first term he suggested the United States should take control of the Danish territory by force. That rhetoric intensified after his return to the White House, raising the prospect of a serious rift with European allies. In late January 2026 he dropped the annexation idea after refusals from Denmark, the European Union and Greenlanders.

1. Late January 2026Trump drops his annexation idea after refusals from Denmark, the EU and Greenlanders
2. Sep 22, 2026United States, Denmark and Greenland sign the defence agreement
3. Oct 12, 2026Majority of Greenland's parliament indicates support for the deal
4. Oct 14, 2026Trump announces massive oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland

The September agreement

The 10-page pact, signed on 22 September, lets the United States build two military bases, one at Narsarsuaq in the south and one at Mestersvig in the east. Both would sit alongside the Pituffik base in the north, which Washington already operates. Denmark and Greenland have stressed that the deal leaves Greenland's sovereignty intact. A majority of Greenland's parliament indicated on Monday, 12 October, that it will support the agreement, which is set for a second reading and is expected to pass. Some opposition politicians in Greenland have questioned the deal's economic value.

Trump spoke at a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, and he described the pact in optimistic terms.

It's going to be a long-term, fantastic relationship.

Military footprint and resources

During the Cold War the United States maintained 17 military installations in Greenland and more than 10,000 personnel. Pituffik Space Base is the sole survivor of that network, and some 150 US military personnel are stationed there. The new pact adds the Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig sites to that northern presence.

Cold War era

17

October 2026

1

Cold War era

17 installations

October 2026

1 installations

Greenland holds large deposits of rare earth minerals, and its position near the North Pole gives it strategic weight for American missile early warning. Trump's post did not say who would carry out the exploration work, where it would happen or when it would start.

What remains open

Greenland's government imposed a halt on new oil and gas drilling in 2021. Blick noted that Trump's statements are likely to meet reservations among experts and diplomats. Denmark says the agreement places Arctic security monitored by NATO, a point it has put forward alongside its sovereignty assurances. The next formal step is the second reading in Greenland's parliament, where the deal is expected to pass.