Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?

American President-Elect Donald Trump has recently reignited discussions about U.S. acquisition of Greenland, stating on December 23, 2024, that “For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

This bold assertion has sparked intense debate. But why is Donald Trump interested in Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark?

I explain why Trump is interested in Greenland, and specifically a location called the Kvanefjeld deposit. I will also explain why it matters in the context of U.S. strategic competition with China and Russia.

What Are Rare Earth Minerals?

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Despite their name, these elements are relatively abundant but are termed “rare” due to their scattered distribution and the difficulty in extracting them economically.

• Applications in Technology: REEs are integral to modern technology:
• Electronics: They are crucial in the manufacture of computer chips due to their properties like high electrical conductivity, luminescence, and magnetism. For instance…