- VP Vance visits Arctic base amid Trump's renewed Greenland acquisition push
- Denmark condemns 'aggressive pressure' as Greenland resists US control talks
- Energy Secretary cites untapped mineral resources worth $1.2 trillion in disputed territory
- Strategic Thule Air Base becomes focal point in new Cold War Arctic competition
The White House intensified its Arctic agenda Friday as Vice President JD Vance conducted an unannounced inspection of Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. This visit follows President Trump's Wednesday declaration that controlling Greenland remains essential for 'global stability,' despite fierce opposition from Copenhagen. Satellite imagery analyzed by NATO shows Russian icebreaker deployments near Greenlandic waters have increased 47% since 2023.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright revealed new economic data during the flight to Nuuk, stating Greenland contains 38% of global rare earth element deposits - enough to supply US tech manufacturing for 32 years. However, infrastructure gaps require $12 billion in initial investments according to Pentagon estimates. Industry analysts note China currently controls 78% of permanent magnet production using these materials.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen blasted the visit as 'diplomatic sabotage' during Greenland's coalition government negotiations. Local polling indicates 82% of Greenlanders oppose any shift from current autonomous status under Denmark. The US last attempted to purchase Greenland in 1946, offering $100 million in gold bullion - equivalent to $1.4 billion today.
Arctic security experts warn the Thule base's early-warning radar systems remain vulnerable to hypersonic missile threats. Recent NATO war games simulated losing Greenland access, resulting in 22% slower response times to Eurasian ballistic launches. Russian state media has amplified Greenlandic activists' message, with #YankeeGoHome trending in Nordic social media circles.
Environmental groups counter that proposed mining operations could destroy 14% of Greenland's ice-free land. A 2025 University of Copenhagen study projects lithium extraction would contaminate 28% of coastal fisheries within five years. Indigenous leaders plan protests during Vance's tour, echoing successful 2021 demonstrations against Australian rare earth projects.