Countries worldwide are increasingly turning to the Arctic, particularly Greenland, to tap its untapped mineral wealth and explore new trade routes, in a push to counter China’s dominance in strategic materials. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s economic and security importance, calling U.S. ownership “an absolute necessity,” while Canada and Russia are ramping up Arctic investment and infrastructure, including Russia’s new nuclear-powered icebreaker to strengthen its regional presence.

Experts note Greenland holds vast reserves of rare earths, base metals, precious metals, uranium, and gemstones, previously deemed unviable to mine. Climate change and ice melt have made navigation and resource access easier, sparking heightened interest from mining companies. Firms such as Critical Metals and Amaroq are actively exploring the island, with Amaroq recently discovering high-grade rare earths and commercially viable levels of germanium and gallium, metals crucial for semiconductors, electric vehicles, and military applications.

China’s prior restrictions on germanium and gallium exports have underscored the strategic importance of alternative sources. Analysts highlight that Greenland’s resources could serve as a short-term and long-term solution for the U.S. and Europe to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains. The Arctic’s thawing landscape has positioned Greenland as a key frontier in the global scramble for critical minerals.