Greenland, Sovereignty, Minerals, and Investment: Some Insights from the ICRG/PRSai Meeting in Montreal

I had a very nice dinner conversation with colleagues and data analysts from PRSai on Greenland last night. Here’s a summary:

Generally, the US/Trump move to possibly seize Greenland puts an end to the more cooperative, rules-based order in the Arctic region.  It’s not surprising other countries, such as Canada, France, Germany (inter alia), are making more significant moves into the region, unifying relative sovereignty and drawing various ‘red lines’ over US actions.

The relative silence of Russia and China is tactical as it signals a potential transition to a new world order where the three global superpowers carve out exclusive “spheres of domination” rather than just influence. This will recast the way we look at international politics, investment, and commercial activity.

Russia and China are expected to expand their Arctic cooperation, potentially conducting joint exercises in the Russian Arctic in 2026 as a direct signal to the West.
Greenland contains 25 of the 34 elements classified as ‘critical raw materials.’

Russia (alongside China) has long sought a foothold in these resources. A US takeover would permanently block Russian economic interests in Greenland’s rare earth, oil, and gas deposits.

On the investment front, shares of firms involved in Greenland’s 11 high-potential critical minerals—including graphite, molybdenum, niobium, and platinum—have seen price surges.

However, Greenland lacks basic roads and deep-water ports needed for commercial extraction. As such, investors face significant long-term capital requirements to make projects viable. Nonetheless, investors are increasingly viewing Greenland as a strategic alternative to China, which currently controls 90% of global rare earth processing.

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CHRISTOPHER MCKEE, PHD CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Christopher McKee is PRS’ CEO and Owner. An international political economist, global investor, entrepreneur, and author, Chris received his PhD from Queen’s University (Canada) and has been involved in the field of geopolitical risk, limited recourse financing, and private sector development for the past 25 years.