US President Donald Trump said that large-scale oil, gas, and mineral exploration is set to begin in Greenland, highlighting the island’s potential natural resource wealth and strategic importance, Reuters reported.

Trump did not disclose details of the planned exploration activities but claimed that Greenland holds exceptionally large quantities of easily accessible oil.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also emphasized Greenland’s importance to US national security, saying its location would allow the US to intercept potential threats, including drones and missiles.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing its strategic importance in the Arctic and its potential mineral resources, including rare earth elements. Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which has rejected US proposals to purchase the island.

A deal signed by the US, Denmark, and Greenland expands the US military presence on the island, paving the way for two new military bases and the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system. The agreement also reaffirms Danish sovereignty over Greenland and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.

Greenland holds potential offshore oil and gas resources, with a 2021 assessment by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) estimating approximately 6.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent in risked recoverable resources in northeast Greenland. The island also has deposits and prospects for rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt and copper, although much of its mineral potential remains under explored.