Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister, on Sunday (February 22nd) rejected US President Donald Trump’s offer to send a US hospital ship to the Arctic territory, saying Greenland’s public health system is sufficient and free for its citizens.
“President Trump’s idea to send an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public health system where treatment is free for citizens. It’s a deliberate choice,” Nielsen wrote on Facebook.
The response came a day after Trump announced on social media that he was working with Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana and described as a special envoy to Greenland, to send what he called “a great hospital ship” to help residents.
“Working with the fantastic governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are sending a great hospital ship to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick and not taken care of there. It’s on its way!!!” Trump wrote on Saturday.
A call for direct dialogue
While rejecting the proposal, Nielsen emphasized Greenland’s openness to cooperation – including with the United States.
“Greenland remains open to dialogue and cooperation, including with the US,” he said. “But talk to us instead of making more or less random social media rants.
Neither the White House nor Landry’s office immediately responded to questions about whether Greenland or Denmark had formally requested the ship, or what specific medical needs it would address.
Tensions amid strategic interest
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, citing its strategic Arctic location and natural resources. The hospital ship proposal is the latest development in a series of diplomatic tensions involving Greenland, Denmark and the United States.
Last week, Frederik X, King of Denmark, visited Greenland for the second time in a year – widely seen as a gesture of unity amid renewed US interest in the island.
Greenland, Denmark and the United States also held talks late last month to ease months of tension in the NATO alliance over the issue.
(With inputs from Reuters)
