Greenland’s prime minister, Jens‑Frederik Nielsen, has politely but firmly declined U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claim that a US hospital ship would arrive to treat the island’s residents. Trump, writing on Truth Social, suggested that many Greenlanders were “sick and not being taken care of” and that a boat—apparently the U.S. Navy’s USNS Mercy—was en route to provide medical aid.
Nielsen responded that Greenland already offers free, universal health care and that the idea of a foreign vessel was unnecessary. He urged the president to address him directly rather than “making random outbursts on social media.” The prime minister emphasized that any collaboration with the United States must come through formal diplomatic channels.
Trump’s remarks come after a year of rhetoric about Greenland’s strategic value, including a brief statement in January that he would not seize the island by force. He had also outlined a “framework for a future deal,” though Denmark and NATO allies have firmly rejected any relinquishment of Greenland’s sovereignty.
Additionally, Trump’s post followed an evacuation from a U.S. submarine near Nuuk, which may have influenced his comments. The exchange underscores how Greenland prioritizes sovereignty and local solutions over external interventions while remaining open to selective U.S. cooperation.
Source: www.bbc.com
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