Denmark and its autonomous territory, Greenland, have firmly rejected an offer from former U.S. President Donald Trump to send a naval hospital ship to the Arctic island. This proposal is the latest indication of Trump’s ongoing interest in the strategically significant region.
On Saturday, Trump announced his intention 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.” However, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded swiftly, stating on Facebook, “That will be ‘no thanks’ from us.”
“President Trump’s idea to send a US hospital ship here to Greenland has been duly noted. But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens,” Nielsen elaborated, emphasizing the adequacy of Greenland’s existing healthcare infrastructure.
Denmark’s Response and Healthcare Context
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen echoed Nielsen’s sentiments, telling Danish broadcaster DR, “The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs. They receive it either in Greenland, or, if they require specialised treatment, they receive it in Denmark. It’s not as if there’s a need for a special healthcare initiative in Greenland.”
The announcement comes as Danish forces had to evacuate a crew member of a U.S. submarine off the coast of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, after the sailor required urgent medical attention. Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command confirmed the crew member was flown to a hospital in Nuuk following the incident.
Healthcare in Greenland
In Greenland, as in Denmark, access to healthcare is free for citizens. The island is serviced by five regional hospitals, with the main facility located in the capital, Nuuk. This system ensures that all residents receive necessary medical care without financial barriers.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, without directly addressing the U.S. proposal, expressed her pride in Denmark’s healthcare system. “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,” she stated.
Trump’s Arctic Ambitions
Trump’s announcement was accompanied by an AI-generated image of a U.S. Navy medical vessel, USNS Mercy, on his Truth Social platform. It remains unclear if this specific ship was intended for deployment to Greenland. The former president indicated the move was coordinated with Jeff Landry, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Arctic island appointed in December.
Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland in the Danish Parliament, commented on the situation via Facebook. She acknowledged that while Greenland’s health system has its challenges, these are best addressed through collaboration with Denmark. “Denmark is one of the wealthiest and most educated countries, for example in the field of healthcare,” she noted, contrasting it with “the United States, which has its own healthcare system problems.”
“Denmark is one of the wealthiest and most educated countries, for example in the field of healthcare.” – Aaja Chemnitz
Historical Context and Future Implications
Earlier this month, Greenland signed an agreement with Copenhagen to enhance the treatment of Greenlandic patients in Danish hospitals. This development follows Denmark’s central bank warning in January about the financial pressures on Greenland’s public finances due to demographic trends, including an aging population and shrinking workforce.
Trump has previously asserted that the United States must control Greenland to ensure national security. His earlier threats to seize the territory by force have subsided since he reached a “framework” deal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to bolster U.S. influence in the region.
Danish Defence Minister Poulsen remarked, “Trump is constantly tweeting about Greenland. So this is undoubtedly an expression of the new normal that has taken hold in international politics.”
Meanwhile, in Nuuk, where a third of Greenland’s 57,000 residents live, there is growing fatigue over Trump’s repeated attention. “I don’t care,” a local man commented under sparse, icy snowfall when asked about Trump’s recent remarks, reflecting a broader sentiment of indifference among the island’s inhabitants.
The rejection of Trump’s proposal underscores the complexities of international relations in the Arctic, a region of increasing geopolitical interest. As Greenland and Denmark continue to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on maintaining robust healthcare systems and ensuring the well-being of their citizens.
