Donald Trump says 'massive' oil, gas and mineral exploration is about to begin in Greenland

Last month, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement to ease tensions after President Trump repeatedly threatened to take control of the strategically located, mineral-rich island.

Now, the President has indicated that oil, gas and mineral exploration on the territory is about to begin.

Writing on his Truth Social, President Trump said: "Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!"

"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.

"Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defence will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived.

"It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

The deal signed between Washington, Denmark and Greenland expands the US military's role in Greenland, paving the way for two new military bases and President Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defence system.

In return, the agreement reaffirms Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination.

The deal follows months of pressure from President Trump, who has long said he wants the US to control Greenland and has at times refused to rule out military or economic force to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Washington's threats, which peaked in January, triggered a diplomatic crisis within Nato and pushed Denmark and Greenland into negotiations with the US to defuse the pressure.

In his speech to the assembled world leaders at the UN before the signing ceremony, President Trump said the agreement gives the US "permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory."

He said: "No US adversary will ever be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland any more, or make sensitive investments there without our express written approval."

President Trump signed the agreement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in a trilateral ceremony after his UN speech.

Prime Minister Frederiksen described the agreement as a deal that can "last forever" and said it underlines the importance of the Nato alliance and respects Greenland's right to self-determination.

Prime Minister Nielsen emphasised the importance of Nato in the Arctic region, adding: "We believe that it is vital to keep Nato strong, also in the Arctic, where the alliance has a key role to play."

At a press conference after the signing, he said Greenlanders must now restore trust with the US, following President Trump's threats.

Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen: "I believe the crisis is over now, but I don't think the conflict is over in the sense that this agreement could very well be used, if the Americans wish, as a platform to force through further concessions."

Greenland, a former colony and now a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, sits between the Arctic and North America and holds vast energy resources.

The US already operates Pituffik Space Base in remote northwestern Greenland.

The deal opens two new military sites: Narsarsuaq, a former Cold War airbase whose population has dwindled to just a few dozen, and Mestersvig, currently used by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish special forces unit.

President Trump said: "We will immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate location. We will be building two very major military bases."