Denmark and its autonomous territory Greenland have turned down US President Donald Trump’s offer to send a naval hospital ship to the Arctic island, underscoring his continued interest in the region.
Trump on Saturday announced plans to dispatch “a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded on Facebook, “That will be ‘no thanks’ from us.” He added, “President Trump’s idea to send a US hospital ship here has been duly noted. But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens.”
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen echoed the rejection, telling broadcaster DR, “The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs either in Greenland or, if specialised treatment is required, in Denmark. There is no need for a special healthcare initiative.”
Ironically, on the same day Trump made his announcement, Danish forces evacuated a US submarine crew member near Nuuk after a medical emergency. The sailor was flown to the capital’s hospital, Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command confirmed.
Healthcare in Greenland, as in Denmark, is free of charge. The island has five regional hospitals, with the main facility in Nuuk serving patients across the territory.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, without directly referencing Trump’s proposal, remarked, “I am happy to live in a country where access to healthcare is free and equal for all, where insurance or wealth does not determine whether one receives dignified treatment.”
Trump’s Truth Social post included an AI-generated image of the US Navy’s USNS Mercy, captioned “It’s on the way!!!” It remains unclear whether he intends to deploy that vessel. He suggested the plan was coordinated with Jeff Landry, appointed in December as US Special Envoy to Greenland.
Greenland’s representative in the Danish Parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, noted that while the island’s health system faces challenges, they are best addressed in partnership with Denmark.
She contrasted Denmark’s strong healthcare infrastructure with “the United States, which has its own healthcare system problems.” Earlier this month, Greenland signed an agreement with Copenhagen to expand treatment options for patients in Danish hospitals.
Denmark’s central bank has warned that Greenland’s public finances are strained by demographic pressures, including an aging population and shrinking workforce.
Trump has repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland is vital for national security. His earlier threats to seize the territory have eased since he reached a “framework” deal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to bolster US influence.
Poulsen told DR he was unaware of any imminent arrival of a US hospital ship, adding, “Trump is constantly tweeting about Greenland. This is undoubtedly an expression of the new normal in international politics.”
Meanwhile, in Nuuk—home to a third of Greenland’s 57,000 residents—locals expressed fatigue with Trump’s repeated remarks. “I don’t care,” one man told AFP under light snowfall, while most residents declined to comment.
