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EU’s Greenland Push: How Brussels Aims to Secure Critical Resources Amidst Geopolitical Scramble

EU’s Jørgensen visited Greenland to secure critical raw materials, meeting officials amid global competition for resources.

byAndres Castro

September 22, 2025, 1:05 PM

Executive Summary

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visited Greenland to inspect a strategically important graphite mine and meet officials, highlighting Europe’s push to secure critical raw materials for its energy and digital transitions.

Greenland is a focal point in the global competition for critical raw materials, with its vast reserves, particularly the Amitsoq graphite deposit, deemed strategically important for Europe’s goal of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Greenland’s geopolitical significance is underscored by increased EU engagement and investment, alongside broader international interests including US focus (renewed during President Trump’s term) and recent military exercises led by Denmark.

The Story So Far

Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has become a crucial focal point in the global competition for critical raw materials vital for the energy and digital transitions, such as graphite for batteries, driving European efforts to secure these resources and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. This geopolitical significance has also attracted increased international attention, including past discussions during President Trump’s administration regarding annexation, underscoring the territory’s strategic importance and its efforts, alongside Denmark, to assert its sovereignty amid growing international interest, prompting the EU to significantly increase its engagement and financial support in the region.

Why This Matters

The EU’s high-level visit to Greenland, including an inspection of a critical graphite mine, underscores Europe’s intensified efforts to secure vital raw materials for its energy and digital transitions, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. This engagement highlights Greenland’s escalating geopolitical importance as a key territory in global resource competition, attracting increased international attention and investment—including renewed interest from President Trump’s administration—and leading to deeper EU financial and political ties with the autonomous Danish territory.

Who Thinks What?

The European Union and various European nations are actively seeking to secure critical raw materials from Greenland, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for the energy and digital transitions, and are increasing engagement and financial support.

Greenland and Denmark consistently affirm the territory’s sovereignty and autonomy, stating it is not for sale, while engaging directly with international institutions like the European Parliament and participating in military exercises to underscore the region’s strategic importance.

Washington has shown increased focus on control, surveillance, and boosting US investment in Greenland, with past discussions during President Trump’s second term regarding the territory’s annexation.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen arrived in Greenland on Tuesday, marking the latest high-level visit to the autonomous Danish territory, which has become a focal point in the global competition for critical raw materials. Jørgensen’s visit, following his participation in UN talks in New York, includes an inspection of a strategically important graphite mine and a meeting with Greenlandic Energy Minister Naaja Nathanielsen, underscoring Europe’s efforts to secure essential resources.

Geopolitical Significance and Resource Scramble

Greenland, rich in various minerals, is increasingly central to geopolitical discussions, particularly concerning critical raw materials vital for the energy and digital transitions. The European Commission has identified the Amitsoq graphite deposit project, developed by UK-listed GreenRoc Mining, as strategically important for Europe’s goal of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

The island’s vast reserves of critical minerals, including graphite, are crucial for lithium-ion batteries and other advanced technologies. Despite this potential, Greenland has historically faced challenges in developing its mining sector.

EU Engagement and Investment

Commissioner Jørgensen, a Dane, is the first high-level Commission official to visit Greenland in the current EU political cycle, though other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have made recent trips. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is also expected to visit later this month.

The EU has been steadily increasing its engagement with Greenland. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen inaugurated an EU office in the capital, Nuuk, last year. Earlier this month, the European Commission proposed to double financial support for Nuuk under the next seven-year EU budget, with Brussels already serving as Greenland’s second-largest external contributor after Copenhagen.

During his visit, Jørgensen is also slated to view the Buksefjorden hydroelectric power plant, a project supported by financing from the European Investment Bank.

Navigating International Interests

Jørgensen’s visit occurs at a sensitive time, as Greenland has emerged as a key area in a broader geopolitical competition. This includes Washington’s increased focus on control and surveillance activities, alongside efforts to boost US investment in the region, which gained renewed attention during President Trump’s second term with discussions about annexing the territory.

Greenland and Denmark have consistently affirmed that the Arctic territory is not for sale, emphasizing the importance of respecting its sovereignty and autonomy. Last week, Denmark led a military exercise on the island, involving troops from Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway, further highlighting the region’s strategic importance.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen is scheduled to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 8, signaling the territory’s direct engagement with European institutions.