Trump Promises Hospital Ship, Denmark Says Unnecessary

Greenland does not require medical assistance from other countries, Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Sunday, responding to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a hospital ship was being sent to the autonomous Danish territory.

“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. So it's not as if there is a need for a special healthcare initiative in Greenland,” Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR.

Healthcare in Greenland is free, as it is in Denmark. The Arctic island has five regional hospitals, with the main hospital in Nuuk serving patients from across the territory. Earlier this month, Greenland’s local government signed an agreement with Copenhagen to improve the treatment of Greenlandic patients in Danish hospitals.

Trump had posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, saying, “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 US president has previously suggested the US must control Greenland to ensure its security but later eased his stance after reaching a “framework” deal with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to increase US influence in the region.