Greenland warns Trump-linked oil company not to drill without permission
Greenland has issued a "strong warning" after a US oil company linked to Donald Trump landed drilling equipment onto the Arctic island without permission. TheGreenlandgovernment said it was aware of drilling. . .
Greenland has issued a "strong warning" after a US oil company linked to Donald Trump landed drilling equipment onto the Arctic island without permission. TheGreenlandgovernment said it was aware of drilling machinery being brought onshore on the island's eastern coast last month "in connection with planned oil exploration drilling". "The Department of Industry and Minerals can, in connection with the above, state that the licensee did not have the necessary approvals," it said in a statement, adding that "a strong warning will be sent" to the company. The equipment is for a largeoil-drilling project being funded by Greenland Energy, a Texas company set up last year with ties to Mr Trump. Larry Swets, the firm's chairman and a major shareholder, is understood to enjoy access to the US president's inner circle, The Guardian reported, with his wife posting pictures from Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this year. Icebergs and bornhardts in the rugged Jameson Land where the oil company wants to drill - Terry Allen/AlamyThe oil firm has said it believes as much as $1tn of crude may lie beneath Greenland's Jameson Land region, and has taken a majority stake in a new drilling project in exchange for funding the exploration. It still needs permission from the Greenland government to proceed. Days after oil-drilling equipment was seen being hauled ashore by Greenland locals last month, Mr Trump renewed his threats to claim the semi-autonomous island. Mr Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform last weekend showing him peeking over a mountain at a Greenlandic village, alongside the caption: "Hello, Greenland!"Mr Trump prompted international criticism in January 2025 after failing to rule outusing military forceto seize control of Greenland, saying the US needed it "for national security purposes". Greenland is part of theKingdom of Denmark, which is a Nato member like the US. An American takeover would effectively shatter Nato members' mutual defence pact, with Denmark denouncing such threats as "unacceptable". Mr Trump posted an AI-generated image of him eyeing a Greenland settlement - Truth SocialMr Trump has since softened his rhetoric on Greenland but said the 836,000-square-mile island was "vital" for hisplans to build a Golden Dome missile-defence systemto protect American territory. Modelled on Israel's Iron Dome, the project would involve a network of satellites, sensors and interceptor weapons to shield the US from missile attacks. Greenland Energy appointed Carol Craig, a US navy veteran who is working on Mr Trump's Golden Dome project, to its board last month. The company has also commissioned Phillip McGraw, a former US chat show host known as Dr Phil, to anchor a new documentary series following its "Arctic exploration". Mr Trump appointed him to his Religious Liberty Commission in May 2025. Greenland Energy has denied that its oil-drilling project on the Arctic island is linked to any annexation plans. Mr Swets said in June that the company had caused confusion after a company representative falsely told Greenland residents that the firm already had official permission to land oil-drilling equipment. He said: "Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion. "In a letter to shareholders on Thursday, Greenland Energy said: "Recent high-level meetings between project leadership and Greenlandic regulatory and oversight authorities have been constructive, and we continue to be encouraged by the progress being made toward the remaining approvals required for drilling. "