Minerals Trump Trump
In the emerging world order, minerals take center stage. Few Norwegians realize they could decide the nation’s fate. Minerals may be the card that trumps Trump – but only Trump, Zelensky and Putin know the rules of the game. Norwegian politicians seem blind to the possibility that minerals could shape Norway’s destiny.
March 5, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Image by AI/S&P
The hunt for minerals
The tensions between Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelensky came to a head on February 27, when Zelensky was forced out of the White House after refusing to sign the mineral agreement with the United States. Trump needs minerals to realize his plan to free himself from dependence on China and to “Make America Great Again.” For Trump’s achievements and behavior do not exactly testify to a sincere and heartfelt wish to create peace.
Minerals are so crucial that Trump is willing to annex both Canada and Greenland.
US imports of minerals
The United States mainly imports minerals from Canada, China, Mexico, India, Germany, and South Africa (USITC). The U.S. needs a secure and reliable source of minerals to safeguard and expand its industry into the future. Zelensky understands how valuable the minerals are and therefore will not enter into an agreement without American guarantees of lasting military protection. Furthermore, Putin has offered Trump minerals both from Russia and from areas they have conquered from Ukraine. This explains Trump’s goodwill toward Putin and why he is unwilling to give Ukraine a military guarantee.
In order to more easily and quickly enter into new mineral agreements, Trump has also suspended American anti-corruption laws (FCPA) through a presidential order.
Norwegian mineral resources
Norway has valuable mineral deposits, and so far its strong economy has allowed it to uphold strict environmental standards that make mineral extraction unprofitable. Now the reality is that modern technology and weapons production demand critical minerals to an ever-greater extent.
So far it seems that Trump, Putin, and Zelensky are the only politicians who have understood that critical minerals play the leading role in the struggle for world power. Norwegian politicians appear oblivious and paralyzed on this issue, tagging along with the EU as has become the habit in this century. Minerals are not only Norway’s next big goldmine, literally, but they also put the country on the wish list of world powers. If not managed properly, this could become a very uncomfortable – and dangerous – place to be.
What is Norway's strategy?
Norway must safeguard its resources. The country needs leaders who understand the value of resources, who understand that resources not only represent its economic future but also military protection and security. Norway cannot afford leaders who give away sovereignty over its resources to the EU, as was done with the EU electricity directive ACER (the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators).
Norway needs leaders with greater ambitions on the country’s behalf, who seek power to maintain the welfare society as it was built in the last century, not those whose ambition is to mingle in EU camaraderie. Leaders who understand that Norwegian resources in the form of oil, gas, electricity, and minerals are resources that Europe needs, that these resources are Norway’s playing cards. That Norway holds the trump card, just as Zelensky does vis-à-vis Trump.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, Zelensky may face problems in securing lasting military protection from the United States while at the same time protecting Ukraine’s minerals. Later it could be Norway’s turn. Norway needs intelligent leaders with the courage to safeguard both military security and resources.
Legendary former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland once said, “It is typically Norwegian to be good.” Today’s Labour Party has lost faith in Norway’s resources, its competence, and above all, the strength of the Norwegian people. Everything that mothers and fathers have fought for is in danger of being lost in the fog of EU bureaucracy!
SOURCES
US International Trade Commission -
United States Mineral ImportsUS The White House -
Presidential Executive Order on Anti-Corruption Legislation
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