'No Thanks:' Greenland Doesn't Want Trump's Hospital Boat; US Insists Islanders Are 'Not Being Taken Care Of'

Greenland has firmly rejected Donald Trump's offer to send a US hospital ship, highlighting its confidence in its own healthcare system and sparking diplomatic exchanges that reveal underlying tensions over the island's sovereignty.

Last Saturday, Trump took to Truth Social to announce that the US was dispatching a hospital vessel to Greenland.

'Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It's on the way!!!' he wrote, accompanying an illustration of the USNS Mercy, a naval hospital ship.

It was an unexpected move, particularly since Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, already has a robust healthcare system.

The US president's claim appeared to be aimed at asserting American influence in the Arctic, a region gaining strategic importance due to its rich mineral resources and melting ice caps. Trump has long expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, arguing it would bolster US security.

The appointment of Landry, a Louisiana politician, as a special envoy to Greenland in December further fueled speculation about Washington's intent.

Greenland's poised rejection: 'No thanks'

Greenland's leadership responded swiftly. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen posted a clear message on Facebook, 'That will be 'no thanks' from us.'

He underlined that Greenland's healthcare system is free and publicly funded, a fundamental aspect of their society. President Trump's idea of ​​sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a conscious choice. And a fundamental part of our society. It is not like that in the USA, where it costs money to go to the doctor,' Nielsen said.

His tone conveyed a mix of politeness and resolve.

'We are always open to dialogue and cooperation. Also with the USA. But now talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media,' he urged for respectful dialogue, rather than social media threats or offers from abroad.

'Dialogue and cooperation require respect for decisions about our country being made here at home.'

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this sentiment. Writing on Facebook, Frederiksen expressed pride in Denmark's healthcare system. 'I am happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it's not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment.'

She also stressed that Greenland shares Denmark's approach, reinforcing their unified stance.

What prompted Trump's actions was in early February, Greenland's military coastguard evacuated a crew member of a US submarine after he required urgent medical attention. The soldier was helicoptered from offshore waters to a hospital in Nuuk.

Greenland's healthcare infrastructure comprises six hospitals serving a population of fewer than 60,000. Despite the territory's remoteness and sparse population, access to medical care remains a priority.

Earlier this year, Greenland signed an agreement with Copenhagen to facilitate more treatment in Danish hospitals.

US military presence and strategic interests

The US maintains a military base at Pituffik, the only American outpost in Greenland, located on the island's western coast. The deployment of the USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort ships, both mobile hospital vessels, has historically been reserved for disaster relief and military support within the US. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the USNS Comfort was deployed to New York City, offering critical care during the crisis.

Currently, neither ship appears ready to deploy immediately.

The Mercy remains moored in Alabama, while the Comfort's location is uncertain. The ships' movements suggest that Trump's hospital ship offer might have been more of a political gesture than an immediate plan.

Trump's interest in Greenland has caused unease across Denmark and Greenland itself. Last week, Danish King Frederik paid a second visit to Greenland within a year, attempting to demonstrate solidarity amid US overtures. Despite a framework deal struck in January with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, US influence in the Arctic remains a contentious issue.

Greenland's leaders warn that their sovereignty is non-negotiable. Nielsen emphasised the importance of respecting Greenland's decision-making autonomy.

As global interest in Greenland intensifies, the island's small population and strategic position make it a flashpoint. The US's overtures, combined with Denmark's efforts to reaffirm sovereignty, paint a picture of a region at a crossroads. Greenlanders remain cautious, eager to maintain control over their future while navigating the geopolitical currents swirling around them.

Trump's hospital ship proposal may have been a footnote in international diplomacy, but it underscores the broader issues of influence, sovereignty, and respect in the Arctic's icy corridors. Greenland's clear message: they are in charge of their own healthcare and future.