Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Industry, Ebba Busch, has warned that Sweden could become a priority target for the United States after Greenland, citing the country’s significant rare earth mineral reserves.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Busch said Sweden’s mineral resources could attract U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing that rare earth elements are vital to modern technology. She noted that China has long dominated the sector, making it essential for the European Union to strengthen its strategic independence.
Busch emphasized that Sweden hosts seven of the EU’s 17 identified rare earth minerals, adding that the country must retain control over how these resources are managed. “I want it to be difficult to subjugate Sweden, and difficult for leaders like Donald Trump or Xi Jinping to control Sweden,” she said.
