Trump says large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration is set to begin in Greenland

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, that "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration is getting ready to begin in Greenland. He made the statement in a post on Truth Social.

France 24 quoted the post as saying: "Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!"

Trump gave no details of the plan. According to DW, he named no companies, locations or start dates. France 24 and Al Jazeera report that he gave no details of any US involvement.

In the same post, Trump described Greenland's strategic position for US and European security as "second to none". He said any future attack on the United States would have to come across Greenland, where US defenses would intercept drones, missiles and other weapons.

The security agreement

In September 2026, the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a security agreement. It followed Trump's repeated threats to take control of the island, including by force. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

The agreement expands the US military presence in Greenland and provides for two new US bases. It covers missile defense. It also reaffirms Danish sovereignty over Greenland and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination.

According to DW, the bases would be at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east. The US already operates Pituffik Space Base in the north, DW reports. According to France 24, the agreement still requires a second reading in Greenland's parliament before a vote, and lawmakers are expected to pass it.

Background

Greenland lies along one of the shortest routes between Russia and North America. It has rare earth deposits. Melting Arctic ice has increased interest in new shipping routes.

In August, reports that a US oil company was preparing operations in remote eastern Greenland caused unease among residents and local authorities. According to DW, Trump did not say whether his announcement is linked to that activity. DW also reports that no commercial oil production has been established in Greenland, and that high costs, harsh conditions and environmental rules make viability uncertain.

What each side says

• Donald Trump says exploration is about to begin. He also says Greenland has more easily available oil than almost anywhere in the world. Al Jazeera says he attributed this to experts. DW says he cited experts without providing evidence.
• Greenland and Denmark: according to Al Jazeera, there was no immediate comment from their leaders.

What is not known

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not name the companies involved, the experts Trump cited, or any licenses or approvals sought from Greenlandic or Danish authorities. They do not say whether the security agreement includes provisions on natural resources.

Analysis

The announcement raises questions that the reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not answer. It is unclear whether it reflects concrete projects or a statement of intent. Licensing and approvals are matters on which Greenlandic and Danish authorities' positions are not yet known. One scenario is that specific projects and permits emerge and are tested against environmental rules and local concerns. Another is that commercial hurdles, which DW describes, limit activity. Responses from Nuuk and Copenhagen could also shape how the recent security agreement is received, including during its pending parliamentary process in Greenland. None of these outcomes is certain.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.