Naaja Nathanielsen: Greenland is not chasing Chinese investments in raw materials

Criticism of Greenlandic statements about China is out of proportion, believes Naalakkersuisoq. She sees no signs of Chinese interest in the mineral resources sector.

As Naalakkersuisoq for Raw Materials and Industry, Naaja Nathanielsen (IA) has stated to the Financial Times that if the US and EU do not invest in Greenlandic raw materials, Greenland will have to find other partners – such as China.

Similarly, Vivian Motzfeldt (S), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greenland, told Berlingske back in January: “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation”.

But every time the two politicians mention China, they face criticism in the Danish media that they are playing with fire.

For example, Peter Mogensen, an analyst on the TV2 program Tirsdagsanalysen, called Vivian Motzfeldt’s statements: “The stupidest I’ve heard in 15 years of Danish politics.”

– If there’s one thing you shouldn’t talk about when Vance and the Americans are watching, it’s China, said the analyst in the TV2 program.

KNR has tried unsuccessfully to get Vivian Motzfeldt to talk about the Greenlanders’ foreign policy strategy in the past few weeks.

But if you ask Naaja Nathanielsen, she points the finger back to Denmark.

– This is very typical of the Danish media’s interpretation and Danish understanding. We will have to insist that China is a market for our fish.

She also points out that the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has just been to China to promote Danish business interests.

No Chinese interest

Two Chinese companies have previously shown interest in oil extraction in Greenland, but it never came to fruition. And then the Chinese company Shenghe was involved in the Kuannersuit project, where they had negotiated to be responsible for the extraction.

According to Naaja Nathanielsen, she does not see China as part of the mineral resources sector in Greenland, neither historically nor in the foreseeable future – despite previous statements.

– We have never sought a partnership on raw materials, and I don’t see it historically being of interest. I do see them playing a role in fish exports, however.

Although Vivian Motzfeldt’s statements caused a stir, Naaja Nathanielsen does not believe that there is disagreement in the Greenlandic government. The difference may lie more in the interpretation.

– I’m not sure that Vivian has spoken differently than I have, or whether her statements have been twisted. I can only say what I am responsible for, and we are not chasing Chinese investment in the raw materials sector.

Can you understand that not only the Danish press, but also the Greenlandic population may be confused about what the Greenlandic government wants?

Can you understand that not only the Danish press, but also the Greenlandic population may be confused about what the Greenlandic government wants?

– Basically, we have said nothing other than that we are happy with our fish exports and do not reject pursuing investments in other contexts. But it is also important that we neither see major Chinese interests nor pursue them ourselves.

You are professional politicians. You must be aware when you make your statements that they can be spun and interpreted in a way that makes it appear as if you are using China to put pressure on the EU and the US, which experts say could have unforeseeable consequences.

You are professional politicians. You must be aware when you make your statements that they can be spun and interpreted in a way that makes it appear as if you are using China to put pressure on the EU and the US, which experts say could have unforeseeable consequences.

–  If our trade with China goes down, we have a huge economic problem. We will have to be able to make statements, but we do not see critical infrastructure going to others – although we are happy about exports to China.

– I don’t see anyone saying that we are on our way out of the Commonwealth or want to attract Chinese airports or ownership – quite the opposite.

Naaja Nathanielsen therefore wants to separate raw materials policy from great power diplomacy. She acknowledges China’s role as a trading nation, but rejects the idea that Greenland is actively seeking Chinese investment in sectors of strategic importance.

The delicate balance of the great powers

According to a new report from the Danish Defense Academy titled: “China as a global military superpower – military strategic perspectives for Danish defense”, there will be Chinese ships in Greenlandic waters within 10 years.

As the Arctic ice melts, new shipping routes are opening up, and China hopes to exploit this for more trade with the outside world. But the plans are making the United States uneasy.

Can you see the difference between Greenlandic trade interests and the opportunity to tease the US when China is about to become a bigger factor?

Can you see the difference between Greenlandic trade interests and the opportunity to tease the US when China is about to become a bigger factor?

– We are going to see greater Chinese interest in shipping routes and other things. The answer is that we sit down with perhaps the Danish state, Canada and the USA and talk about the Northwest Passage and how we want to handle it. It is certainly completely legitimate to take that into account, says Naaja Nathanielsen and continues:

– But that shouldn’t be confused with the fact that we have exports, extract a mineral sector and have tourism from all over the world.

When the shipping routes open up, there are Chinese ships in the Northern Silk Road, can you see greater cooperation between Greenland and China?

When the shipping routes open up, there are Chinese ships in the Northern Silk Road, can you see greater cooperation between Greenland and China?

– It’s hard to say right now. Many things are changing. It’s hard to see 10 years ahead. The next few years will be crucial. But Europe is changing. It’s hard to predict what a particular sector will look like.

– Greenland is part of the Western alliance and its values, and that will not change.