Jens-Frederik Nielsen has declined the US president’s proposal to enhance healthcare on the Arctic island using a medical vessel
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has turned down an offer from US President Donald Trump to deploy a hospital ship to the Danish self-governing territory, which Trump has long pursued.
On Saturday, Trump stated he would send a “great hospital boat” to the Arctic island to address what he described as “many people who are sick, and not being taken care of.”
Nielsen responded on Sunday in a Facebook post, writing: “it will be a no thank you from here.”
“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,” he stated, drawing a comparison to the US system.
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 emphasized, however, that any dialogue must be predicated on respect for Greenland’s domestic decisions.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen also stated that the island does not require the unsolicited aid proposed by Trump.
”The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs,” he informed Danish outlet DR on Sunday, noting that citizens receive medical care either on the island or in Denmark.
Trump has ramped up his efforts to claim the Danish autonomous territory for the US since last year, ridiculing its defenses, which he claimed consist of “two dog sleds.” He also contended that the US requires Greenland for national security, asserting it is vulnerable to China and Russia—claims both nations have rejected.
This annexation drive has created a widening diplomatic rift between Washington and its European NATO allies.
Trump recently announced that he and NATO chief Mark Rutte had established a framework for Arctic and Greenlandic security, softening his rhetoric. However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned last week that Trump remains “very serious” about annexation.