Denmark and its autonomous territory Greenland have officially rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to send a hospital ship.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Facebook on Wednesday, "Our answer to President Trump's offer to send a hospital ship is 'No thanks.'" He added, "Greenland has a public health system that provides free medical care to its citizens, so unlike the United States, there is no cost for treatment."
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told broadcaster DR, "Greenland residents are receiving the medical services they need." He noted that specialized treatment is provided by Denmark when necessary, saying the situation does not require any additional medical measures.
Greenland citizens have also responded coolly. Greenlandic activist Orla Joelsen wrote on social media, "Thanks, but no thanks. We are healthy eating traditional foods like vitamin-rich seal blubber." Joelsen added sarcastically, "Trump would be better off focusing on American healthcare, which is plagued by high costs."
Both Greenland and Denmark operate universal healthcare systems. Greenland, a vast Arctic island, has five regional hospitals, with the hospital in the capital Nuuk serving as the main medical hub.
Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, "I will be sending a magnificent hospital ship to Greenland to take care of a lot of patients that are not receiving proper care."
The move is interpreted as part of Trump's signature carrot-and-stick approach, combining conciliatory gestures while pursuing Greenland's annexation through nearly every means available, including tariffs and implied use of force.
The U.S. Navy operates two large hospital ships, each with 1,000 beds. Trump posted an AI-generated image of the USNS Mercy alongside his offer, writing "She has sailed," though actual deployment has not been confirmed.
