Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 11, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleGerman minister highlights international law's universality, including the US, as G7 discusses reducing China's mineral supply dominance.
BERLIN, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday, in reference to President Donald Trump's threats to seize Greenland.
"It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said ahead of his departure to Washington for a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies.
A U.S. military seizure of the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark, a long-time ally, would send shockwaves through NATO and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders.
"We increase security in the Arctic together as NATO allies, not in opposition to one another," Klingbeil said.
ACCESS TO CRITICAL MINERALS WILL BE G7 FOCUS
Monday's G7 meeting will focus on access to critical minerals as Western countries seek to reduce their dependence on China given moves by Beijing to impose strict export controls on rare earths.
Klingbeil said Germany has a strong interest in expanding international cooperation in this area in order to strengthen security of supply, reduce dependencies and ensure reliable economic framework conditions.
"That is why it is important that we consult with our international partners and - wherever possible - act together," he said.
China dominates the critical minerals supply chain, refining between 47% and 87% of copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earths, according to the International Energy Agency.
(Reporting by Maria Martinez, Editing by Miranda Murray)
Critical minerals are essential raw materials that are crucial for the production of various technologies and products, including electronics, renewable energy systems, and defense applications.
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe established for mutual defense against aggression.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
