By Susanne Togeby, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo:  Trine Shack, iPixel

The Arctic is becoming increasingly geopolitically significant. This is partly because melting sea ice is opening up new shipping routes. At the same time, the US and other major powers, including Russia and China, have increased their attention on the region. Greenland’s strategic value has shifted from gaining access to new resources to maintaining influence and stability in a rapidly changing region.

This is explained by Anne Merrild in an episode of the New Scientist Podcast titled “Why Does America Want Greenland?”

As an expert in planning and impact assessment of large-scale industry in the Arctic, with a particular focus on mining, Professor Anne Merrild views the current US interest in Greenland from a resource and geopolitical perspective. She tells AAU that control of mineral resources has always been a central factor of power. She is particularly focused on the role resources may play in discussions about Greenland’s strategic importance. She also considers whether Greenland positions itself as an active decision-maker and primary beneficiary in the resource economy, rather than a supplier in others’ geopolitical strategies.

The strategic importance of Greenland

In the podcast, Anne Merrild also talks about rare earth elements, which are used in processed form in smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles. Whether they can generate economic returns depends not only on geology, but also on many other factors such as commodity prices, environmental regulations, local politics, and who is willing to take the risk, she explains. Moreover, processing these materials after extraction is technically complex, and China is currently the leading expert in this area.

For the US, Greenland thus has a more long-term strategic value rather than serving as a source of quick economic gains, according to Anne Merrild.

Freedom city proposals for Greenland are unrealistic

Anne Merrild is also asked about the idea of placing “freedom cities” or “network cities” in Greenland. The concept involves experimenting with private, non-democratic cities governed by technology rather than traditional democratic institutions. According to its proponents, this allows for testing and trying out new solutions. Anne Merrild responds in the podcast:

“Greenland is not an empty space waiting to be experimented on. It has communities, democratic institutions and a strong sense of self-determination.”

She emphasizes that such projects must align with Greenlandic law and values, and that proposals to place these cities in Greenland are not realistic.