Trump-backed tech city dreams in Greenland collide with cold reality

The article discusses the speculative idea of transforming Greenland into a futuristic, billionaire-backed "freedom city" focused on emerging technologies such as autonomous systems, AI labs, micro-nuclear reactors, and high-speed transportation. This concept, popularized by a group of wealthy U.S. investors and political figures, envisions a low-regulation environment distinct from typical Western governance. However, no formal agreements or commitments have been made, and both the Danish and Greenlandic governments have firmly rejected any notion of selling or transferring sovereignty over Greenland, emphasizing that decisions about the island’s future lie with its people. Greenland’s appeal to tech-utopian interests stems partly from its cold climate and abundant seawater, which are advantageous for energy-intensive infrastructure like data centers due to reduced cooling costs. Renewable energy potential, such as hydro and wind power, also adds to its attractiveness, though significant investment and planning would be required. Additionally, Greenland’s mineral wealth, including rare earth elements, has drawn attention, but commercial mining faces