Greenland may consider other partners if US, EU refuse to invest - Trade Minister

MOSCOW: Greenland may consider investors from other countries if the United States and the European Union do not invest in the island's economy, Greenland's Minister for Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality Naaja Nathanielsen said on Tuesday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

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Greenland wants Western investment to grow its mineral sector but may explore other options if US and EU support wanes.
A US-Greenland minerals deal from Trump's term is expiring, and Biden's administration hasn't clarified plans to renew it.
China hasn't shown interest yet, but both US and Chinese involvement raise geopolitical concerns for Greenland's autonomy.

"We want to develop our business sector and diversify it, and that requires investments from outside. ... We do want to partner up with European and American partners. But if they don't show up I think we need to look elsewhere," Nathanielsen said in an interview with the Financial Times.

Meanwhile, the memorandum of understanding on mineral development signed between Greenland and the US during Donald Trump's first presidency is going to expire soon. During Joe Biden's presidency Greenland failed to find out if the US intends to renew it, the minister said.

At the same time, China has not shown any interest in the island's mineral resources, but, in Nathanielsen's opinion, Beijing is being cautions as it does not want "to provoke anything."

"We are trying to figure out, what does the new world order look like? In those terms, Chinese investment is of course problematic, but so, to some extent, is American. Because what are the purpose of [the US investments]?" the minister said.

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should become part of the United States. He stressed its strategic importance for national security and the protection of the "free world," including from China and Russia. Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede responded that the island was not for sale and would never be sold. At the same time, Trump refused to promise not to use military force to establish control over Greenland.

Greenland was a colony of Denmark until 1953. It remains part of the kingdom, but in 2009 it gained autonomy with the ability to self-govern and make independent choices in domestic policy.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI