Greenland's Healthcare Is Free, But Trump Insists on Sending Hospital Ship
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21/02) that he was sending a hospital ship to Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory belonging to Denmark. He said the ship would treat many people who were “sick” on the island.
Trump did not provide additional details about whom he was referring to or how many people the ship would assist.
“We will be sending a great hospital ship to Greenland to take care of a lot of people who are sick and not being taken care of there,” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“It is on its way!!!” he added.
What did Greenland and Denmark say about the ship?
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to Trump’s statement on Sunday (22/02) by saying: “No, thank you.”
“President Trump’s idea of sending an American hospital ship here, to Greenland, has been noted. However, we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. That is a deliberate choice,” the Greenland prime minister said in a social media post.
Nielsen said Greenland was open to cooperation with the United States but criticised the manner of communication chosen by the US president.
“Talk to us instead of just making more or less random statements on social media,” Nielsen said.
Danish Defence Minister: Greenland does not need foreign medical assistance
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in an Instagram post that she was “happy to live in a country where access to free and equal healthcare is available for everyone. Where insurance or wealth does not determine whether someone receives dignified care.”
There are five regional hospitals in Greenland, with one hospital in the capital, Nuuk, serving patients from across the territory. Access to healthcare is free in both Greenland and Denmark.
Denmark’s Defence Minister also affirmed that Greenland did not require medical assistance from other countries in response to Trump’s statement.
“The residents of Greenland receive the healthcare they need. They receive it in Greenland, or, if they require specialist treatment, they receive it in Denmark,” Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR. “So it is not as though there is a need for special healthcare initiatives in Greenland.”
Lund Poulsen told DR that he was unaware of any potential arrival of a US hospital ship.
“Trump keeps writing about Greenland on social media. So this is clearly part of the new normal that is now occurring in international politics,” he said.
Danish Arctic Command evacuates US submarine crew member
Trump’s Saturday (21/02) post came after Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command said it had evacuated a US submarine crew member who required urgent medical attention.
The submarine was in Greenland waters, seven nautical miles off Nuuk. It was unclear whether Trump’s post about sending a hospital ship was connected to the evacuation.
Trump’s push on Greenland heightens tensions
Nevertheless, the announcement became significant amid the deep dispute between the Trump administration and Europe over control of the territory.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a mineral-rich Arctic territory of considerable strategic importance. It has its own government but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump has said the island is important for US national security and that he wants to gain control of it. He had previously even threatened to seize it by force if necessary.
The rhetoric has heightened tensions between Washington and its European allies within NATO.
Greenland, Denmark and the United States have been engaged in talks to resolve the situation.
Trump subsequently softened his threats after reaching a “framework” agreement with NATO chief Mark Rutte to ensure greater US influence over Greenland.
Earlier this week, King Frederik X of Denmark visited Greenland. It was his second visit to the island within a year, as an effort to demonstrate unity with the territory amid Trump’s push to take control of the vast island.