Greenland Says ‘No Thanks’ to Trump’s US Hospital Boat Offer

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Greenland has rebuffed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to send an American hospital ship to the Arctic island, with its government insisting that the remote territory already provides free, universally accessible healthcare and that any cooperation with Washington should be pursued through proper diplomatic channels. The response comes amid simmering political tensions over Trump’s repeated overtures toward the strategically important, autonomous Danish territory.

Trump announced his intention to dispatch a U.S. Navy hospital vessel to Greenland via a social media post on Saturday, claiming it would care for “many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.” The post referenced collaboration with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, whom Trump named as a special envoy to Greenland, and included an AI‑generated image of a hospital ship. However, there is no indication that any such vessel is currently en route, and both of the U.S. Navy’s hospital ships — USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort — are reportedly docked in shipyards undergoing maintenance.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen responded with a brief but firm statement on Sunday, saying: “That will be ‘no thanks’ from us.” He emphasised that Greenland has a publicly funded health system where treatment is free for all citizens — a stark contrast to the U.S. model, where medical care often comes at a high cost. Nielsen added that Greenland remains open to cooperation and dialogue with the United States, but urged Washington to communicate through official channels rather than through what he described as “more or less random outbursts on social media.”

Danish officials echoed Greenland’s stance, underscoring that the population already receives the healthcare it needs. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told local media that residents are treated either within Greenland’s regional hospitals or, for specialised care, in Denmark — and that there is no unmet medical need justifying a foreign hospital ship’s deployment.

The rejection highlights broader diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Greenland, a vast Arctic island with around 60,000 inhabitants that enjoys extensive self‑government while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump’s proposal — made against a backdrop of his longstanding, controversial interest in the island’s strategic and resource value — has drawn criticism from both Greenlandic and Danish leaders, who have repeatedly reaffirmed sovereignty and the strength of their public services.

The episode has added a new dimension to relations between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk. Greenland’s officials stressed that respectful dialogue is the appropriate way to address any potential cooperation or support, rather than unilateral announcements. As tensions persist over Arctic security and influence, the rebuff of the hospital ship offer serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomatic channels and the clear assertion of Greenland’s autonomy in decisions affecting its territory.

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