Why is Greenland so strategically relevant?

Greenland occupies a strategically important geopolitical location between Europe and the United States, and sits atop the so-called GIUK Gap. This gap is a sea passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic and is located between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. As the climate crisis melts Arctic ice, Greenland's mineral wealth could become more accessible; this phenomenon also makes northern shipping routes navigable for longer periods each year. This has the potential to transform trade and increase the region's relevance, despite Trump's characterization of the crisis as "the biggest scam." From a strategic perspective, its importance is further amplified by its abundant deposits of natural resources, including rare earth minerals, gas, and oil, especially now that China has used its dominance in the rare earth industry to exert pressure on the United States. These minerals are becoming increasingly essential to the world economy because they are required to produce a wide range of products, from wind turbines and electric vehicles to military equipment.