The US Badly Needs Rare Minerals and Fresh Water. Guess Who Has Them? | The Walrus
Briefly

The article discusses the implications of rain falling on the Greenland ice sheet for the first time in history, marking a significant environmental change. It highlights the exposure of rare earth element (REE) deposits as a motivation for geopolitical interest, particularly by the U.S. The Trump administration's shift from the idea of purchasing Greenland to potentially annexing it underscores the strategic focus on securing essential minerals. The narrative extends to Canada's rich deposits, raising questions about future natural resource competition and U.S. interests amid a changing global landscape.
The melting of ice caps began exposing virgin ground for mining, including what has been touted as some of the largest deposits of rare earth elements in the world.
In 2019, during his first term, Donald Trump mused publicly that Greenland could be bought outright from Denmark, securing valuable metals that China otherwise controls globally.
The new Trump administration talks less about buying Greenland now and more about simply annexing it, reflecting a shift in priorities towards resource acquisition.
What does Canada have that the US wants? As the global post-World War II order unravels, which natural resources will the US covet?
Read at The Walrus
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