COPENHAGEN, Feb 22 - Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Sunday dismissed a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump to send a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, saying the idea had been "noted" but was unnecessary because Greenland operates a public healthcare system that provides free treatment for citizens.
In a post on Facebook, Nielsen said: "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 deliberate choice." He added that Greenland remains open to talks and cooperation with the United States, but urged officials to "talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media."
The suggestion from the U.S. president, posted on social media on Saturday, said he was coordinating with Louisiana Governor and special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, to dispatch a hospital vessel to the territory. The social media post followed several months of heightened tensions within the NATO alliance over the president's prior threats concerning Greenland.
Late last month, Greenland, Denmark and the United States initiated diplomatic discussions intended to defuse the dispute between the parties, a move meant to address the strain that had built up during the preceding months.
Separately, the president's hospital ship post came mere hours after Denmark's Joint Arctic Command reported it had evacuated a crew member from a U.S. submarine who was in need of urgent medical attention. The evacuation took place in Greenlandic waters, seven nautical miles from Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Officials said it was not clear whether the president's social media post was related to that medical evacuation.
Nielsen's response emphasizes the territory's current healthcare arrangements and the preference of Greenlandic authorities for formal channels of communication. Beyond reiterating Greenland's openness to cooperation, his remarks highlighted frustration with policy being announced via social media rather than through direct engagement.
Summary
Greenland's prime minister rejected a U.S. proposal for an American hospital ship, citing the territory's free public healthcare and urging direct diplomatic engagement. The exchange occurred amid recent diplomatic talks between Greenland, Denmark and the United States and shortly after an evacuation from a U.S. submarine near Nuuk.