President Donald Trump on Wednesday championed a “massive” oil and mineral exploration in Greenland that he said is on the verge of beginning, touting the Arctic region as having “easily available oil.”
The president’s announcement marks the latest White House effort to secure global energy deals to ease gas and oil prices that are hitting Americans hard just before the midterm elections.
“Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!” Trump said on Truth Social. “There are Experts that are saying that the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World and, even more importantly, from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none.”
Trump also noted how any possible military action against the U.S. would have to pass by Greenland, making the island a strategic military position.
“Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived,” he said. “It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!”
The Trump administration secured a deal with Greenland and Denmark last month that gave the U.S. “permanent control over security, and all other needs,” in the autonomous island. The deal only relates to Greenland’s security and does not grant the U.S. total control over the Arctic island, despite Trump’s past efforts to have the U.S. take over Greenland. However, it does block Russia, China, and any other non-NATO countries from building a base in Greenland or deploying troops there.
While the agreement does not explicitly mention oil or gas, it does acknowledge “minerals cooperation” and “cooperation on economic development and business promotion.” Following the two parties entering an agreement, U.S. and allied mining corporations jumped at the opportunity to expand operations in Greenland to break China’s grip on the global supply chain.
Greenland ranks eighth in the world for rare earth elements and possesses roughly 25 of the 34 elements considered critical. However, the island has no proven oil reserves, but the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there are roughly 31 million barrels of undiscovered oil. Accessing these resources may be a lengthy endeavor, as 80% of the island is covered in mile-thick ice.
Another recent effort by the White House to bring down energy costs ahead of the midterm elections was revealed last week, when the president announced a diesel deal with Russia to release 800,000 tons of fuel over the next two months. The deal was met with backlash as Congress passed a law in 2022 that prohibits the U.S. from purchasing Russian oil to ensure Americans aren’t funding Moscow’s aggression toward Ukraine.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES DIESEL FUEL DEAL WITH RUSSIA TO ADDRESS ELEVATED PRICES
The diesel agreement with Russia was also met with sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the agreement gives Russia “more money for this war, more money to inflict suffering on us, without a doubt.”
On Wednesday, the average price of diesel per gallon nationwide was roughly $6.29, according to AAA. With the general election less than a month away, the White House appears to be attempting to address energy prices, which have emerged as a top concern for voters heading to the polls.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
