Category: Greenland

THE USA USES SOFT-POWER TACTICS ON GREENLAND AND FAROE ISLANDS

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

THE USA USES SOFT-POWER TACTICS ON GREENLAND AND FAROE ISLANDS

The former Director of the CIA and current United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, visited Denmark on July 22nd in order to meet with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Kofod, as well as representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands in order to formulate a common military and economic policy in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

Related:

Pompeo visits Denmark after diplomatic spat over Greenland

Leading up to the visit a statement from the US Department of State highlighted the importance of a partnership in the Arctic, “particularly as we see increased activity in the region from Russia and the People’s Republic of China”.

But there is another bone of contention: The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline being built between Russia and Germany.

Why Greenland is really about China

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Why Greenland is Really About China

China has recognized the importance of Greenland since at least 2015, when its state enterprises began to invest in mining companies there. China has invested in at least four key mining operations in Greenland, adding to its dominant position in the rare earth element market. Rare earth elements have unique properties essential to high technology products. They are vital in critical defense applications like fighter jet engines, missile guidance systems, as well as satellite communications systems, not to mention mobile phone and electric car motors. While the United States could once rely on its own resources for rare earth minerals, it is now almost fully dependent on imports, mainly from China.