In a firm diplomatic rebuff, Denmark has turned down U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to send a hospital ship to Greenland, the autonomous territory it administers. The move underscores ongoing tensions over Trump’s persistent interest in acquiring the vast Arctic island.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen dismissed the gesture without naming Trump directly. They asserted that Greenland’s healthcare system is robust and meets all local needs, eliminating any requirement for external medical aid.
Trump announced the initiative on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, boasting about dispatching a ‘fantastic hospital boat’ to care for the sick and underserved in Greenland. ‘It’s on the way!!!’ he exclaimed, framing it as a humanitarian effort.
Responding swiftly on Sunday, Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR that Greenlanders receive healthcare tailored to their requirements, either locally or in Denmark for specialized treatments. ‘There’s no specific healthcare initiative needed in Greenland,’ he emphasized.
Greenland boasts five regional hospitals, with the flagship Nuuk facility serving the entire population. Like Denmark, healthcare access is free, ensuring equitable treatment regardless of insurance or income.
Frederiksen took to Facebook to defend her nation’s system, expressing pride in living in a country where healthcare is universally free and equal. ‘It’s the same in Greenland,’ she added with a smiling emoji, wishing everyone a happy Sunday.
The rejection comes amid Trump’s repeated public overtures about purchasing Greenland, which Denmark has consistently rebuffed. Recently, Greenland’s government signed an agreement with Copenhagen to enhance treatment access in Danish hospitals.
Poulsen noted he was unaware of the ship and described Trump’s frequent posts as part of a ‘new normal’ in international politics. Just a day earlier, Denmark’s Arctic Command assisted a U.S. submarine crew member in a medical emergency off Nuuk.
This episode highlights the delicate balance of Arctic geopolitics, where humanitarian offers intersect with strategic ambitions. As Trump pushes his vision, Denmark stands firm on Greenland’s self-sufficiency.