Greenland's government publicly rejected President Donald Trump's proposal to dispatch a U.S. naval hospital ship to the Arctic territory, underscoring rising diplomatic tension over sovereignty and healthcare while reaffirming that decisions about the island "being made here at home" will not be dictated from Washington.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. would send a hospital vessel-accompanied by an illustration of the USNS Mercy-declaring: "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!!!"
The statement drew an immediate and pointed response from Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Writing on Facebook, Nielsen said, "That will be 'no thanks' from us." He emphasized that Greenland operates a publicly funded system, adding: "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 continued with a diplomatic but firm appeal: "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 added, "Dialogue and cooperation require respect for decisions about our country being made here at home."
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed that position. In a Facebook statement, she wrote: "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 noted that Greenland shares Denmark's healthcare model, reinforcing a unified Danish-Greenlandic stance.
The episode arrives amid heightened geopolitical interest in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory with fewer than 60,000 residents but outsized strategic importance due to mineral resources, Arctic shipping routes and climate-driven ice melt. Trump has previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, arguing that it would bolster U.S. security.
In December, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was appointed a special envoy to Greenland, fueling speculation about Washington's broader intentions. The U.S. maintains a military presence at Pituffik Space Base on Greenland's western coast, its only permanent American installation on the island.
The hospital ship proposal followed a February incident in which Greenland's coast guard evacuated a crew member from a U.S. submarine for urgent treatment in Nuuk. Greenland operates six hospitals across its vast territory and recently signed an agreement with Copenhagen to expand treatment options in Danish facilities.
Historically, U.S. hospital ships such as the USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort have been deployed for disaster relief and military medical support, including during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. As of this week, neither vessel appears positioned for immediate Arctic deployment.
