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Trump's Greenland Obsession May Be About Extracting Metals for Tech Billionaires

Jan 30, 2025 - gizmodo.com
The article discusses the potential acquisition of Greenland by the U.S., driven by President Trump's interest, which is increasingly seen as a strategic move to benefit tech companies that supported him. These companies, including KoBold Metals, backed by influential figures like Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, are interested in mining Greenland for raw materials essential for AI development. The Disko-Nuussuaq project and other mining efforts highlight the tech industry's need for resources like cobalt, lithium, and nickel. Additionally, Critical Metals, with ties to Trump's nominee for U.S. Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, plans to begin mining in Greenland by 2026. The acquisition is also linked to the broader geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China over AI supremacy.

The Trump administration's "Stargate" project, a $500 billion initiative to build AI infrastructure in the U.S., underscores the strategic importance of Greenland's resources. The article also touches on the "Network State" movement, which aims to create crypto-powered cities and sees Greenland as a potential site for such experiments. Despite these interests, Greenland's population and Denmark, its governing nation, have shown little support for U.S. acquisition, with Denmark threatening a trade war if necessary. The overarching theme is the geopolitical struggle for technological dominance, with Greenland's resources playing a crucial role in this contest.

Key takeaways:

  • The attempted acquisition of Greenland by the Trump administration is linked to interests in mining raw materials for tech companies, particularly those involved in AI.
  • KoBold Metals, backed by prominent tech executives, is actively pursuing mining opportunities in Greenland, focusing on materials like cobalt, lithium, copper, and nickel.
  • The U.S. plans to build extensive AI infrastructure through project "Stargate," with significant investments from major tech companies to compete with China in AI development.
  • Greenland's acquisition is part of a broader geopolitical struggle between the U.S. and China, with a focus on securing critical minerals and natural resources.
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