Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to send a hospital ship to Greenland, a territory that Trump has expressed interest in acquiring. Trump had announced on social media his collaboration with Louisiana’s Governor, Jeff Landry, to deploy a hospital vessel to Greenland.
In response, Nielsen emphasized Greenland’s existing public healthcare system that provides free treatment to citizens, stating it as a deliberate choice. He expressed openness to dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. while urging for direct communication rather than social media announcements.
Recent diplomatic discussions involving Greenland, Denmark, and the U.S. aim to address the tensions within the NATO alliance, particularly concerning Trump’s statements regarding the Arctic territory. Trump’s hospital ship plan coincided with an evacuation operation by Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command to assist a crew member requiring urgent medical attention from a U.S. submarine near Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
While Trump shared his intentions to send the hospital ship on social media during a dinner event, details about the ship’s deployment, recipients of aid, and official requests remained unclear. The appointment of Landry as a special envoy to Greenland was highlighted, although the U.S. Navy’s hospital ships, Mercy and Comfort, are not based in Louisiana.
The White House, Landry’s office, and the Department of Defense did not provide immediate responses to inquiries regarding Trump’s announcement. Meanwhile, Danish King Frederik’s recent visit to Greenland aimed to show solidarity amid Trump’s interest in purchasing the island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen defended the healthcare systems in Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing equal access to healthcare for all citizens.