What is Greenland worth? A super summary of valuation discussions

The question of Greenland’s value has been explored across multiple perspectives, from its vast natural resources to its strategic Arctic location. Greenland currently receives significant financial support from Denmark, amounting to approximately $623.5 million annually through a block grant, along with an additional $145 million for judiciary and defense expenses, bringing total annual support to around $768.5 million. Below is a comprehensive rundown of stories from major publications, summarizing their key points on the valuation of Greenland:

• The Economist: The Economist referred to Greenland as a potential “deal of the century” for the U.S., considering its untapped rare earth minerals and the strategic value of its location in the Arctic. While no exact dollar figure was provided, the article emphasized that Greenland’s resource wealth could make it worth hundreds of billions in the long term.
• The Guardian: Greenland’s vast mineral wealth, including rare earth elements critical for technology, was highlighted as a significant reason for its valuation. The Guardian also explored the social and environmental challenges Greenland faces, including the logistical difficulties of mining and climate change’s impact on its ecosystem.
• The New York Times: The NYT revisited the 1946 U.S. proposal to buy Greenland for $100 million in gold, which is equivalent to approximately $1.3 billion today. The article also discussed Trump’s 2019 interest in acquiring Greenland and its value as a strategic Arctic asset.
• Innovation News Network: This publication highlighted Greenland’s rare earth deposits, which are essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy. While no specific dollar figure was mentioned, it emphasized Greenland’s potential to offset reliance on Chinese supplies, worth billions globally.
• Reuters: Reuters focused on Greenland’s untapped mineral resources, including uranium, oil, and rare earth elements. The article emphasized that Greenland’s resource potential could be worth tens of billions of dollars, but environmental concerns and infrastructure challenges complicate development.
• The Cipher Brief: Greenland’s strategic Arctic position and its role in emerging shipping routes due to climate change were key points in this article. The publication also emphasized the growing geopolitical interest in the Arctic by major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China.
• The Hill: The Hill touched on Trump’s 2019 interest in purchasing Greenland, which reignited discussions about its value. Estimates of Greenland’s natural resource wealth place its value at $30 billion to $70 billion, depending on future extraction viability.
• AP News: AP News noted that Greenland’s strategic location and resources make it a prime target for geopolitical interest. Though no precise figure was mentioned, the article pointed out that melting ice caps could unlock resource potential worth billions of dollars.
• US News: US News highlighted Greenland’s unique position as a resource-rich island, emphasizing its long-term economic potential. While no exact valuation was provided, the article noted that resource extraction and Arctic trade routes could add billions in value over time.
• The Times (UK): The Times estimated that Greenland’s resource wealth and strategic location could make it worth hundreds of billions in the future, particularly as Arctic shipping routes and resource extraction become more accessible due to climate change.