Trump's Oil Announcement Sparks Anger in Greenland
US President Donald Trump on October 13. Source: The White House
Donald Trump has signaled extensive exploration for oil, gas, and minerals in Greenland. In Ittoqqortoormiit, the local population fears that American ambitions will come at the expense of the natural environment, the livelihoods of hunters, and the town’s future.
THE HUNT FOR GREENLAND'S OILSeries · 5 posts
“Hello, Greenland!”
That was the caption accompanying an image posted by US President Donald Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, late Tuesday night. In the image, the president is shown looking out over what appears to be a Greenlandic town.
A few hours later, he followed up with an announcement that extensive exploration for oil, gas, and minerals in Greenland would soon be underway.
In the town of Ittoqqortoormiit—located near areas in East Greenland where oil exploration is planned—the announcement has sparked concern. The local population fears that American ambitions will have consequences for both the town’s residents and the fragile natural environment upon which their livelihoods depend.
“Just like everywhere else in Greenland, people get anxious whenever Donald Trump says something about Greenland,” says Erling Madsen, a local wildlife officer and former mayor of Ittoqqortoormiit.
According to Madsen, some people are left with the feeling that Naalakkersuisut (the Greenlandic government) has sold the town out.
Fears for Nature and the Livelihoods of Hunters
It is, in particular, the prospect of oil exploration—and potential future extraction—in Nunap Qeqqa (Jameson Land) that is sparking opposition.
The area is part of the hunting grounds used by both professional and recreational hunters, who, among other things, hunt musk oxen there. The area is also environmentally vulnerable and of great importance to birdlife, Madsen explains.
“If there is ever to be extraction of oil, gas, minerals, or whatever else, he [Donald Trump—Ed.] will likely be dead by then,” says Madsen.
He is particularly concerned about the consequences if oil exploration requires the entry of large vessels and extensive activity in the area.
This concern was already evident in June, when the possibility of oil extraction was being discussed. At that time, public meetings and demonstrations were held in Ittoqqortoormiit and several other Greenlandic towns.
According to Madsen, the opposition has not diminished.
“If Naalakkersuisut gives the green light for exploration—and potentially later extraction—only after the environmental implications have been thoroughly examined to ensure no harm comes to Ittoqqortoormiit, then we can take it from there,” he says.
”We Don’t Want to Be a Shield for the Americans”
Hans Brønlund, chairman of the local committee in Ittoqqortoormiit, also reacts with anger to Trump’s latest statement.
“I woke up this morning and saw it. I thought: How stupid can he be? He just signed the defense agreement,” he says.
Brønlund hopes that the new defense agreement between Greenland, Denmark, and the US will lead to greater respect for the local population. Trump’s statement, however, makes him doubt whether that will be the case.
“That’s just it. We know how he views the law over there,” he says, laughing nervously.
Brønlund is particularly concerned about plans for an increased American military presence at Mestersvig, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park.
He believes that the planned airport near Ittoqqortoormiit—which would also be available for civilian use—should be sufficient to cover the region’s defense needs.
“We don’t want Americans here near Ittoqqortoormiit. We don’t want to be a shield for their country,” he says, referring to the Trump administration’s plans to build a missile shield.
He fears that increased military activity will disturb narwhals and polar bears, thereby also affecting the ability of hunters to make a living. The narwhals move through the fjords surrounding the town, while Mestersvig lies within the national park.
For Brønlund, the fear of an increased military presence is closely linked to the fear of increased resource extraction.
“If he [Donald Trump—Ed.] starts establishing a base at Mestersvig, he might also start thinking about mining for minerals and drilling for oil,” he says.
Trump-Allied Oil Company Seeks to Drill in Greenland
Trump’s statement comes as the American company Greenland Energy explores the possibilities for oil exploration in Nunap Qeqqa.
Through its partner 80 Mile, Greenland Energy holds three licenses to conduct exploratory drilling in the area. Greenland has banned the issuing of new oil licenses since 2021, but these licenses were granted before the ban.
The company still lacks the necessary approvals to proceed with the drilling, which it hopes to begin next year.
The company’s management has long highlighted the area’s potential, estimating that the subsoil near Nunap Qeqqa could hold up to 13 billion barrels of oil. These are, however, merely potential resources, and experts have pointed out that extracting the oil profitably could prove difficult.
Shares in Greenland Energy rose 75–78 percent on October 14, following Trump’s statement.
For the local population in Ittoqqortoormiit, however, the prospect of economic gain is not the primary concern. Residents have long opposed the project and have staged demonstrations against the oil company.
According to Brønlund, Larry Swets Jr., the chairman of Greenland Energy, is scheduled to visit Greenland with his family later this month. Swets told KNR in writing that he is going there to “learn more” about the town.
The visit has prompted Brønlund to consider organizing a demonstration. He jokes that he intends to buy as many eggs as he can from the store and throw them at the Trump-friendly American businessman.
Concern about these developments and the lack of information has also prompted Brønlund to take political action. He has sent an open letter to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Avaaraq S. Olsen, the mayor of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq.
In the letter, he demands that the local population be involved in decisions concerning the region’s future, and that the authorities provide clear answers about what is planned for the area.
“It is unacceptable that you sit in Copenhagen and Nuuk making such major decisions over our heads. We are the ones who live here; it is our daily lives, our natural environment, and our future that are at stake,” he writes.
He also points to the provisions in the defense agreement on respect for the local population and the protection of Greenland’s natural environment and way of life.
Source: KNR (in Danish)