Why Greenland Matters to U.S. National Security

Originally published by the Washington Times

Greenland is an essential strategic partner in ensuring peace and security for Americans and Europeans. Located just 600 miles from the U.S. East Coast, Greenland’s geographical positioning, combined with its plethora of energy resources and critical minerals, makes it a geostrategic asset in our global defense architecture. America must protect the world from falling under the control of Russia, China and Iran, and Greenland is key to building an “America First” security infrastructure to protect our nation’s assets and people.

The world’s demand for critical minerals has expanded dramatically in recent years, requiring China and Russia to increase their global economic footprints to support their struggling economic growth. As the Trump administration looks to support Greenland, the Danish government has poisoned a warm, longtime relationship between the United States and Greenland. Meanwhile, China and Russia are quietly playing the long game, working in tandem to establish a de facto “Ice Route” along the Northern Sea Route.

China has methodically planned trade routes and developed icebreakers, ports and domestic and foreign infrastructure to facilitate Arctic maritime trade, which could supplant America’s leadership. In a time of great economic power competition, securing Greenland’s geostrategic location has become more urgent than ever.

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