Greenland, the world’s largest island, isn’t exactly known for its tropical beaches or bustling metropolises. So why is it suddenly attracting so much attention from the United States? ABC’s “Foreign Correspondent” tackles this question head-on in its upcoming episode, airing Tuesday, 6 May at 8:00 PM.
North America correspondent Lauren Day travels to Greenland to investigate the reasons behind this renewed interest. While the island’s strategic Arctic location has long been recognised, the discovery of substantial rare earth mineral deposits is now significantly raising the geopolitical stakes.
The interest originally stemmed from global property developers and the potential financial benefit this could bring to Greenland but most Greenlanders prefer independence but recognize they cannot financially sustain this.
Denmark, which currently holds sovereignty over Greenland, has made it clear it’s not interested in selling. But with the US expressing interest, some Greenlanders find themselves at a crossroads, debating if this is their chance to strike a deal of their own. Day’s reporting looks to get to the heart of this complex issue, examining the perspectives of Greenlanders caught between their desire for independence and the practical realities of their economic situation.
Tune in to ABC this Tuesday at 8:00 PM to see Lauren Day’s report from Greenland on “Foreign Correspondent.”