Greenland faces a complex legal reality because it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. This status complicates direct litigation. However, several mechanisms exist under international law. First, Greenland can lean on the principle of Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources. This doctrine, established through UN General Assembly resolutions, asserts that a people has the right to control their own wealth. If extraction occurs without consent, it violates this fundamental norm.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) offers further tools. If the US extracts materials from Greenland's continental shelf without authorization, Greenland—acting through Denmark—could file a claim. International tribunals can settle disputes regarding maritime boundaries and seabed minerals. These courts look at technical evidence rather than political rhetoric.
Regarding economic pressure, the World Trade Organization (WTO) provides a venue. If the US uses tariffs or trade barriers to force specific resource deals, these actions might violate non-discrimination rules. Economic coercion that disrupts fair trade can be contested through the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism. Success depends on proving that US policies target Greenland's specific trade interests unfairly. Legal fights are slow, but they establish a paper trail that international bodies can eventually review.
