February 22, 2026 — Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has publicly turned down U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to dispatch a hospital ship to the Arctic territory, describing it as unnecessary and emphasizing the island’s robust public healthcare system.
Trump’s Announcement Sparks Swift Response
On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was collaborating with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry—his appointed special envoy to Greenland—to send a “great hospital boat” to address what he claimed were widespread health issues among residents “not being taken care of.” He declared, “It’s on the way!!!”
The announcement came amid heightened geopolitical interest in Greenland, a mineral-rich Danish autonomous territory that Trump has repeatedly suggested the U.S. should acquire or exert greater influence over for national security reasons.
Greenland’s Polite but Firm Rejection
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Prime Minister Nielsen responded directly: “That will be ‘no thanks’ from us.” He stressed that Greenland maintains a comprehensive public healthcare system offering free treatment to all citizens, calling it “a deliberate choice.” Nielsen added that any future cooperation with the United States should proceed through official diplomatic channels, not unilateral social media statements.
Denmark, which handles Greenland’s foreign and defense affairs, echoed the sentiment. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told local media that Copenhagen had received no prior notification of the plan and confirmed Greenland requires no external medical support.
Broader Context of U.S.-Greenland Tensions
This incident revives longstanding friction dating back to Trump’s 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland, which drew sharp rebukes from both Nuuk and Copenhagen. Recent developments, including Trump’s threats to “seize” the territory and the appointment of Landry as envoy, have prompted European nations to bolster ties with Greenland amid Arctic competition involving Russia and China.
The hospital ship proposal coincided with a separate event: Denmark’s Arctic Command evacuated a U.S. submarine crew member requiring urgent medical care near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital—though no direct link has been confirmed.
Practical Questions and Reactions
Observers have questioned the logistics, noting that the U.S. Navy’s two hospital ships—USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy—are currently in maintenance, with one unavailable until later in the year. Online reactions on platforms like X have ranged from skepticism about the offer’s feasibility to criticism of its tone.
Greenland, with a population of around 56,000 and vast untapped resources exposed by climate change, remains a strategic flashpoint. Nielsen’s response underscores the territory’s commitment to sovereignty while leaving the door open for respectful dialogue.
Neither the White House nor Greenlandic officials provided immediate further comment. The episode highlights ongoing challenges in U.S.-European relations within NATO over Arctic influence.
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