The New Resource Wars: Why Trump’s Greenland & Venezuela Obsession Signals a Dangerous Shift
The United States is facing a geopolitical reality rarely seen in its history: it’s being actively contested not by peer adversaries, but by the very alliances it helped build. This isn’t happening over traditional security concerns, but over access to resources – often resources that experts deem economically unsound and strategically questionable. From a potential scramble for oil in Venezuela to the increasingly bizarre pursuit of rare earths in Greenland, the Trump administration’s actions are echoing a dangerous precedent, one that harkens back to the rapacious mercantilism of the 17th century.
Beyond Oil: The Return of Gunboat Diplomacy
For decades, securing access to oil has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. But the current situation transcends simple energy security. The obsession with Venezuelan oil, despite its high production costs and political instability, and the even more perplexing interest in Greenland’s potential resources, points to something deeper: a willingness to disregard economic realities and international law in pursuit of perceived strategic advantage. As ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods bluntly told President Trump, Venezuela is “uninvestible,” yet the administration seems determined to pursue access, even if it means alienating key allies and partners.
The Greenland Conundrum: Rare Earths and a Frozen Reality
The focus on Greenland shifted from oil to rare earth minerals, crucial for modern technologies like F-35 fighter jets and advanced weaponry. However, the premise of a Greenland-based rare earth supply chain is riddled with challenges. While Greenland does possess reserves, as noted by the U.S. Geological Survey, the real bottleneck isn’t the availability of the minerals themselves, but the lack of processing facilities and magnet manufacturing capabilities. Mining in Greenland is also logistically nightmarish – 80% of the island is covered in ice, infrastructure is minimal, and environmental concerns have already led to a ban on further oil exploration since 2021. The idea of establishing a viable rare earth supply chain in such a remote and challenging environment appears, as one expert put it, “bonkers.”
The Erosion of Alliances and the Rise of a Rogue State Image
The most alarming aspect of this resource-driven foreign policy isn’t the economic irrationality or the legal ambiguities, but the damage it’s inflicting on U.S. alliances. The threat of intervention in Venezuela and the overt pursuit of Greenland have prompted unprecedented responses from NATO allies. Denmark, Germany, France, and Sweden have dispatched troops to Greenland, not to defend against external threats, but to deter a potential takeover by a NATO member. This represents a fundamental shift in the alliance’s focus, from outward defense to internal containment.
From Global Leader to International Outlaw?
President Trump’s disregard for international law, openly stating he doesn’t “need international law” and relies solely on his own “morality,” is further isolating the United States. Actions like storing Venezuelan oil proceeds in an offshore account in Qatar and dismissing the concerns of Greenland’s premier demonstrate a blatant disregard for established norms and protocols. This behavior isn’t simply unconventional; it’s actively eroding trust and undermining the rules-based international order that the U.S. helped create. The European Union is even dusting off plans for substantial retaliatory tariffs, signaling a willingness to confront the U.S. economically.
The Historical Echoes and Future Implications
The current approach bears an unsettling resemblance to the colonial era, specifically the practices of the British and Dutch East India Companies. While those entities at least traded in valuable commodities like pepper and tea, the current pursuit of questionable resources like sulfurous oil and neodymium feels distinctly less justifiable. The historical precedent is clear: aggressive resource grabs often lead to long-term instability and resentment. The U.S. experienced this firsthand in Mexico and Latin America throughout the 20th century, with interventions that soured relations for decades.
The long-term consequences of this shift are profound. The erosion of alliances, the disregard for international law, and the pursuit of economically dubious resource grabs are collectively weakening U.S. influence and creating a more unstable world. The United States is rapidly losing the trust of its allies, and its credibility as a reliable partner is severely damaged. The future isn’t about securing resources at any cost; it’s about building sustainable partnerships and upholding a rules-based international order. The current path, however, suggests a dangerous departure from those principles.
What are your predictions for the future of U.S. foreign policy and its impact on global alliances? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
