The Business Mind Behind Trump's Greenland Ambitions
Ronald Lauder, the 81-year-old cosmetics billionaire and longtime associate of US President Donald Trump, has emerged as a key figure in America's renewed interest in Greenland. According to former National Security Adviser John Bolton, it was Lauder who first planted the idea of acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory in Trump's mind during his first presidency.
A Strategic Vision Takes Shape
The Estée Lauder heir's influence extends beyond mere suggestion. Lauder has been quietly investing in Greenland since directing Trump's attention to the territory, establishing business partnerships and strategic relationships that could prove significant as tensions escalate between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk.
"Trump's Greenland concept was never absurd, it was strategic," Lauder wrote in defence of the proposal. "Beneath its ice and rock lies a treasure trove of rare-earth elements essential for AI, advanced weaponry and modern technology."
Building Arctic Influence
Corporate records from Denmark reveal Lauder's investments through various entities, including the boutique drinks firm Greenland Water Bank. His business partner, Jørgen Wæver Johansen, holds significant local political connections as a branch head of a Nuuk political party and is married to Greenland's Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt.
Lauder has also invested in Greenland Development Partners, a Delaware-registered consortium that has acquired stakes in Greenland Investment Group. This firm has expressed interest in bidding for a major hydropower project at Lake Tasersiaq, Greenland's largest lake.
Diplomatic Concerns Mount
The investments have raised eyebrows among regional security experts. Marc Jacobsen from the Royal Danish Defence College warned against naivety, suggesting the primary goal may be "gaining access to the Greenlandic elite and shaping the narrative that the US is a better partner than Denmark."
As Trump reiterates that America "needs" Greenland and questions Denmark's capacity to protect the island, European allies have begun reinforcing their Arctic presence. Denmark announced plans for a "larger and more permanent" NATO presence on Thursday, with several European countries deploying military personnel to the territory.
Regional Security Implications
The escalating rhetoric has prompted warnings from prominent EU nations that any US military action against a NATO territory could fundamentally undermine the Western alliance. Greenland's strategic location and mineral wealth make it increasingly valuable as Arctic ice recedes and new maritime routes emerge.
Trump's latest comments following meetings between US, Danish and Greenlandic officials suggest fundamental disagreements remain over the island's political future, despite Denmark and Greenland's firm stance that the territory is not for sale.