Greenland says US oil projects must follow its laws

Any US exploration for oil, gas or minerals in Greenland must comply with Greenlandic law, and American investors have no preferential access to the island’s resources, DR reports, citing Denmark’s Foreign Ministry.

Greenland has taken over responsibility for mineral resources from Denmark, the ministry said in a written response to news agency Ritzau. The security and defence agreement signed by Greenland, Denmark and the United States on September 22 does not change that, it added.

The statement followed a post by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Wednesday morning Danish time. Trump wrote that preparations were under way for “extensive exploration” of oil, gas and minerals in Greenland, and said experts believed the island had more easily accessible oil than almost any other country.

The ministry did not comment directly on Trump’s claim. It said US investors have no preferential position over investors from other NATO countries, EU countries or NATO partners when seeking access to Greenland’s resources.

No ministers from the Danish or Greenlandic governments had commented on Trump’s post. Jørgen Hammeken-Holm, a senior official in Greenland’s department for business, mineral resources, energy, justice and equality, told CNN that US companies were active in Greenland, but that this was “very far from a massive exploration” for oil. Many small exploration projects were under way, he said, but they could take years to become operational.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony at the United Nations building in New York after lengthy negotiations. It gives the United States a role in decisions such as who can drill for oil in Greenland.