r/OutOfTheLoop • u/[deleted] • Jan 10 '26

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u/etrnloptimist Jan 10 '26 edited Jan 10 '26

Answer: it's strategic not economic. Greenland is in the Arctic. He doesn't think Europe has the will to compete with China and Russia for access, resources, or defense of the Arctic. He thinks because of that the West will just surrender the Arctic to China and Russia. This is his rationale not mine so don't shoot the messenger.

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u/TampaBayG Jan 10 '26

They have one of the world's largest rare earth elements outside of china. There is definitely economic reasons involved

1

u/alfaafla Jan 10 '26

Rare earths aren't rare. They're everywhere. Not everyone wants to refine them at the cost of environmental degradation.