Greenland says 'no thank you' after Trump says he is sending it a 'great hospital boat'
Ina FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images
- President Donald Trump says he is sending a "great hospital boat" to Greenland.
- The president said many people on the Arctic island are sick and need care.
- Greenland has free, universal healthcare.
President Donald Trump seems to be trying a new approach in his quest to take over Greenland: The president said Saturday the US would send a hospital ship to the territory.
"We are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there," the president wrote on Truth Social. "It's on the way!!!"
Greenland, however, isn't interested.
Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a subsequent Facebook post that "it's going to be a no thank you from here." Greenland provides free universal healthcare for all permanent residents and citizens.
"We have a public health system where treatment is free for citizens. It's a deliberate choice. And a basic part of our society. It's not like that in the United States, where it costs money to go to the doctor," he wrote. "We are always open to dialogue and collaboration. Also with the U.S. But talk to us now instead of just coming up with more or less random outbursts on social media."
Trump has had his sights set on the Arctic island, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, since his first term in office. Trump has suggested the US could buy Greenland or even take it by force.
The president says Greenland's location makes it strategically important as the melting of Arctic ice opens up new shipping routes and intensifies competition with Russia and China.
The island is also rich in critical minerals and already hosts a key US military base, which American officials say is vital to missile defense and Arctic security.
Major European leaders, including those from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Denmark, released a joint statement last month defending Greenland.
"Greenland belongs to its people," the statement said. "It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."