Never underestimate Donald Trump’s tenacity.

Greenland and Denmark certainly haven’t. They continue to refuse even to discuss his “offers” to buy (or otherwise acquire) the strategically-located, mineral-rich island for the United States, and have gone so far as to ramp up their military defenses in the event of a worst-case-scenario attempt at a forcible takeover.

But Trump never takes “no” for an answer.

Now it appears that he has been quietly plotting a secret way into the country via a prospective business deal — the only language he seems to understand. And to no one’s surprise, this one involves oil . . . potentially $1 trillion worth of crude believed to be resting peacefully underground in the Jameson Land region.

The problem is that Greenland’s government hasn’t approved what Trump seems to consider a done deal, i.e., the drilling of one or two exploratory wells in the environmentally protected region, saying in a statement:

“All future logistical matters must be advised and approved by the mineral resources authority — before they are carried out.” [Tom Burgis, The Guardian, August 8, 2026.]

In fact, Greenland stopped issuing new oil licenses in 2021 on environmental grounds, even though a UK company called 80 Mile had secured exploration rights in Jameson Land.

Despite the absence of a contract, or even a verbal agreement, an American oil company named Greenland Energy was incorporated in Texas last year for the specific purpose of undertaking oil exploration in Greenland. The company claims to have entered into an agreement with 80 Mile to acquire a majority holding in the project in exchange for funding the exploration — again without government permission. They also say they have “contacted Haliburton [sic], one of the world’s largest oilfield service companies, to provide project management and support for logistics planning and secure other necessary services and logistics for the project.” [Id.]

But Greenland Energy’s website gives no information about itself, its principals, its history, or its financials. It only offers its plans for the future, including this statement — presumably as some sort of assurance of its expertise, but in essence indicating only that it has researched another company’s past work:

“Greenland Energy Company has a comprehensive body of work conducted by US Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) between 1970 and 1990 where more than US$275m was invested (in 2025 US dollars) in detailed exploration and evaluation activities. ARCO’s work identified multiple, very large oil and gas hydrocarbon targets.” [Greenlandenergyco.com]

There is no information as to what, if any, benefit ARCO received for its $275 million expenditure.

And here comes the best part. The chairman of Greenland Energy — and a major shareholder — is one Larry Swets, who is said to enjoy access to Trump’s inner circle, and who offers assurances that the project is “not related to American annexation [of the island].” [The Guardian, op.cit.]

And the company has retained none other than Trump ally Phil McGraw — perhaps more recognizable by his TV moniker of Dr. Phil — and his media company to make a documentary series that will “capture the mission of these modern-day wildcatters.” [Id.]

I’m surprised they didn’t get Jeff Bezos and Amazon to finance it, after his roaring success with the “Melania” film. But that’s a whole other story . . .

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In June, a Greenland Energy representative falsely claimed at a Jameson Land community meeting that the company had received permission to bring drilling equipment there. However, Swets later conceded:

“Our enthusiasm for the project led us to communicate in a way that created confusion.” [Id.]

Confusion? Were they still confused in July when a tug was seen pulling a barge to shore at Jameson, where a dozen shipping containers were unloaded?

The Danish investigative outlet Danwatch quoted the head of the shipping company as confirming that the delivery was indeed made on behalf of Greenland Energy. And a statement by the Greenland government said:

“The goal was to get the equipment onshore at Nunap Qegga [Jameson Land] in connection with planned oil exploration drilling.” [Id.]

This past Thursday, Greenland Energy sent its shareholders a letter, optimistically informing them:

“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.” [Id.]

That sounds suspiciously like Trump himself, reporting on yet another “constructive” negotiation with Russia, or Iran, or China. Is there just one person, sitting in a little room somewhere, writing this stuff for everyone?

*. *. *

Seriously, though, where does this leave Greenland? Should they grant permission for the drilling, even though the wells would fall within a conservation area protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?* Or should they refuse, opening themselves up to the possibility of a hostile move by Trump?

* An international treaty adopted in 1971 for the conservation and sustainable use of all wetlands.

The government’s statement said it “would not be proportionate” to demand removal of the equipment, as an application for permission is currently being processed.

In the meantime, Greenland Energy has said that a vessel carrying 300 shipping containers of drilling equipment is due to sail for Greenland from Canada on September 12th, with drilling to begin in October.

And — despite Larry Swets’ gratuitous assurance that the project is “not related to American annexation” — Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who also happens to serve as Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, has said that Greenland Energy could be pumping oil by next year. [Id.]

*. *. *

Trump took Venezuela in a bloody, one-day coup; he helped Israel’s Netanyahu decimate Gaza, where Trump’s son and namesake envisions building a new playground for the rich and famous; he’s been threatening (on and off) to bomb Iran into submission; and he’s hoping to convince the people of Cuba that they’d be happier trading one autocratic ruler for another.

With Greenland, he’s using a different tactic: Making the coup look like a straight-up business transaction. Once he gets a foot in the door . . .

Well, where he would go from there is anybody’s guess.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/9/26