Trump’s Day Out: Venezuela Oil Gambit and Greenland Threat

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Trump urges oil giants to invest billions in Venezuela’s oil sector while threatening strategic moves on Greenland—raising global geopolitical stakes

By TRH World Desk

New Delhi, January 10, 2026 — US President Donald Trump’s latest foreign policy manoeuvres mark a striking shift in American geostrategy—one driven less by traditional diplomacy and more by raw economic and strategic ambition.

At a White House meeting with top oil executives, Trump pressed US firms to commit $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector, portraying stranded oil reserves as an opportunity for both American industry and US influence in Latin America. He promised “total security” for these investments, even hinting at possible government-backed protection, despite Venezuela’s history of nationalisations and political instability that executives have labelled “uninvestable” without major reforms.

The US has also taken control of Venezuelan oil sales and seized multiple tankers, revealing Washington’s intent to dominate energy flows from the beleaguered nation.

Yet the oil pitch was overshadowed by an even bolder strategic line: Trump’s remarks about Greenland, where he reiterated that the US will act “whether they like it or not” to secure strategic advantage in the Arctic. This comes amid strong resistance from Danish and Greenlandic leaders asserting their right to self-determination.

Taken together, these moves reflect an assertive US posture: a mix of economic pressure, resource diplomacy, and geopolitical brinkmanship in the face of rising Russian and Chinese influence. Allies in Europe have voiced concern over Greenland; Latin American nations watch warily as US control of Venezuelan energy infrastructure looms.

Trump’s strategy—whether heralded as bold or criticised as reckless—signals a new chapter of US foreign policy where energy, security, and territorial influence intersect.