What is driving the latest tension around Greenland?

Reporting highlights US Greenland claims on an Arctic island and rising interest in strategic deposits. That mix raises legal, logistics, and alliance questions. Investors should watch diplomatic signals, export‑control chatter, and mine licensing steps that could affect transport routes, timelines, and financing for projects tied to critical minerals.

Why do Greenland rare earths matter for Switzerland?

They feed European industries that buy Swiss machinery, sensors, and services. If supply tightens, costs and delivery times can shift, affecting order books and working capital. Swiss investors should watch OEM guidance, insurance rates for Arctic shipping, and refinery bottlenecks, which influence margins across energy and defense supply chains.

How could NATO frictions affect markets?

If Denmark NATO tensions rise, consensus on Arctic logistics could slow. That raises risk premia for shipping and project finance, and it may extend delivery windows. Calmer diplomacy would ease insurance costs and improve funding terms. Either path influences European manufacturers and their Swiss suppliers, so guidance and capex notes are key.

What are the main portfolio actions to consider now?

Diversify across mining, processing, and end‑use demand rather than concentrate on one project. Keep some CHF liquidity, hedge input costs where contracts allow, and add exposure to recycling and substitutes. Track licensing and alliance signals. If delays hit Greenland rare earths, buffers can offset margin pressure while preserving upside to approvals.

Law and Government

January 7: Greenland Mineral Fight Raises NATO, Supply Chain Risk

ByHuzaifa Zahoor January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Greenland rare earths are back in focus as a U.S. assertion over an Arctic island collides with resource politics and alliance pressures. Fresh European reporting signals higher legal and diplomatic risk around Greenland’s strategic deposits and shipping lanes. For Switzerland, this matters for critical‑mineral inputs, European defense orders, and energy transition equipment. We see possible price and timeline shocks if permitting or military tensions tighten. Swiss investors should track alliance signals, export controls, and mine approvals tied to Greenland rare earths and related processing routes.