Global Witness Says Trump-Linked Firms Eye Greenland Minerals After $120 Million US Backing
Updated
Updated · Global Witness · Jun 15
Global Witness Says Trump-Linked Firms Eye Greenland Minerals After $120 Million US Backing
3 articles · Updated · Global Witness · Jun 15
Summary
A Global Witness investigation found a widening network of Trump-linked investors and companies positioned to profit from Greenland’s critical minerals as Washington presses for greater influence over the island.
Critical Metals Corp sits at the center: it took control of Tanbreez in October 2025 and later received a $120 million EXIM Bank letter of interest to develop one of the world’s largest rare-earth deposits.
The company’s ties run into Trump’s orbit through Cantor Fitzgerald, linked to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and through a Louisiana processing plan tied to Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry.
Global Witness also mapped other connected players, including GreenMet and billionaire-backed Kobold Metals, alongside investors such as Ronald Lauder, whose local partners have political and mining links in Greenland.
No rare-earth mining is active in Greenland, and commercial viability remains uncertain, leaving the report to sharpen questions over whether Trump’s Greenland push is driven by supply-chain security, military strategy, or private gain.
Is the US investment in Arctic mining a viable counter to China or a costly environmental gamble?
As billions flow into Greenland, what is the true price for unlocking its rare earth riches?
Greenland’s Critical Minerals: U.S.-China Geopolitics, $1 Trillion Stakes, and the Battle for Rare Earth Supply
Overview
The Tanbreez rare earth project in Greenland is drawing major attention due to its strategic importance for critical mineral supply chains, especially for the defense industry. Recent supply talks between Critical Metals Corp and Lockheed Martin highlight how the project could support vital U.S. interests. However, the U.S. strategy in Greenland is complex, mixing national security goals with potential financial benefits for individuals close to political power. This blend of public and private interests shapes the development of Tanbreez and the networks around it, while economic viability remains uncertain due to shifting geopolitical risks.