Elizabeth Graham, an author with extensive experience studying Russia and national security, contends that President Donald Trump's actions regarding Greenland have severely damaged transatlantic relations. In a recent Substack post titled 'Deception At Davos,' Graham analyzes what she describes as unprecedented diplomatic tension resulting from Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland.
According to Graham, European leaders attempted diplomatic engagement with Trump through various gestures, but his Greenland stance created severe strain. She notes that while Trump's statement "I will not use force to take Greenland" temporarily reassured some European observers, his history of deceptive rhetoric suggests this promise may not be genuine. Graham draws parallels between Trump's approach to Greenland and his previous actions in Venezuela, where he announced intentions to control the country's gas and oil industry after justifying intervention through misleading claims about drug trafficking methods.
The strategic importance of Greenland lies in its untapped rare earth minerals, which are critical for manufacturing aircraft engines, electric vehicles, trains, and advanced machinery. As Graham references from Wikipedia, China dominates the global rare earth magnet market, giving it significant leverage in high-tech industries. Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods reportedly led China to implement rigorous export controls on rare earth elements and magnets.
Graham suggests Trump seeks to establish alternative supply chains by controlling Greenland, though he frames this ambition as necessary for U.S. security rather than economic gain. She references a New York Times report from January 8, 2026, that contradicted Trump's justification for Venezuelan intervention, noting that drugs primarily enter the United States from Venezuela by air rather than by boat as Trump claimed.
The author warns that Trump's pattern of deception could lead to further territorial ambitions beyond Venezuela and Greenland. She draws historical comparisons to expansionist regimes, suggesting unchecked actions could escalate international conflict. Graham also references a NPR report from July 1, 2025, linking Trump's closure of USAID to devastating consequences in Africa.
Graham's analysis appears in her Substack posts available at egraham.substack.com and in her book 'From Democracy To Democrazy,' available through major retailers. She has announced an upcoming 2026 book titled 'Survival: Democracy's Struggle To Survive,' which will examine the relationship between Trump and Putin and its impact on global politics since 2015.
For business and technology leaders, Graham's warning highlights how geopolitical maneuvers driven by resource competition—particularly for rare earth minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing—could disrupt global supply chains and international stability. The concentration of rare earth processing in China, combined with potential shifts in control over mineral resources, creates strategic vulnerabilities for industries dependent on these materials. Graham's perspective suggests that corporate leaders must consider how geopolitical tensions over resources could impact their operations and planning, particularly as competition for critical minerals intensifies in the transition to clean energy and advanced technologies.
