By: Americas Freight Editorial Team January 22, 2026

This week, the international landscape has been shaken by the resurgence of a topic many considered closed: the strategic interest of the Trump administration in Greenland. What appears at first glance to be a distant territorial ambition is, in reality, the opening move of a new era for global trade.

At Americas Freight, we always look beyond our highways. Understanding how Arctic control redefines maritime routes is essential for anticipating shifts in North American land transport. How does the “purchase” or strategic control of a polar island affect a carrier in the Bajío region or at the northern Mexican border? Here is the breakdown.

1. The Opening of the “Northern Highway”

The melting of the poles, while environmentally concerning, is opening the Northwest Passage. This maritime route would significantly reduce transit time between Asia and the U.S. East Coast and Europe, competing directly with the Panama Canal.

If the United States consolidates its influence over Greenland, the flow of containers toward North Atlantic ports will increase drastically. For logistics in Mexico, this means a shift in entry points:

• Pressure on the Northern Border: An increase in cargo flowing down from Northeastern U.S. ports toward manufacturing plants in Mexico.

• Reconfiguration of Land Routes: Routes that currently head north from Veracruz could be complemented by massive flows of components entering through the northern part of the continent.

2. Critical Minerals and Mexican Nearshoring

Greenland is rich in rare earth elements and critical minerals essential for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors. Currently, China dominates this market, but a shift toward U.S. control of these resources would change Nearshoring as we know it.

If raw materials flow from the Arctic to North American industrial centers, Mexico solidifies its role as the final assembly hub. According to recent reports from The Brookings Institution, mineral supply chain independence is key to U.S. national security. For Americas Freight, this translates into an increase in specialized, high-value cargo movement from the borders toward automotive clusters in Querétaro, Puebla, and the Bajío.

3. Impact on Fuel and Energy Costs

Sovereignty over Arctic energy resources directly influences global oil and gas prices. As a freight company, we know that diesel cost is our most sensitive variable.

The Trump administration’s more aggressive control of northern energy reserves theoretically seeks greater energy price stability in North America. This could offer a breather for land transport operating margins, allowing for more competitive rates for Mexican exporters who depend on constant border crossings.

4. National Security and Customs

Increased surveillance or militarization of northern routes leads to stricter border policies. We have seen how the current administration links commercial security with border security. This implies that Mexican companies must be even more rigorous with certifications such as C-TPAT and OEA.

At Americas Freight, we are already preparing our clients for an environment where total traceability is not an option, but a requirement to navigate the trade tensions these geopolitical moves generate.

Americas Freight Strategic Recommendations for Exporters:

• Diversify Your Entry Points: Do not rely on a single customshouse; 2026 trade flows will be volatile.

• Invest in Traceability: In a political climate of increased control, having real-time data on your cargo prevents seizures and delays.

• Monitor Input Prices: Arctic geopolitics will move the prices of steel and lithium; anticipate this in your logistics contracts.

Conclusion

What happens in the ice of Greenland echoes on the asphalt of Mexican highways. The Trump administration is redesigning the map of power and, with it, the map of commerce. At Americas Freight, our mission is to keep you moving, no matter which way the north wind blows.