COPENHAGEN – Denmark’s Defence Minister rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of sending a hospital ship to Greenland on Sunday, insisting the autonomous Danish territory’s healthcare system suffices without external aid.
Troels Lund Poulsen told broadcaster DR that Greenlanders get free care at five regional hospitals, including the main Nuuk facility, or specialized treatment in Denmark. “No special initiative is needed,” he said, noting a fresh early-February deal between Nuuk and Copenhagen to streamline patient transfers there.
Trump posted on Truth Social February 21: “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. It’s on the way!!!” Lund Poulsen, unaware of any vessel, shrugged off the claim as part of Trump’s routine Greenland focus – “the new normal” in global politics – amid his security-driven interest softened by a NATO “framework” pact with Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The exchange followed Denmark’s Arctic Command evacuating a U.S. submarine crew member off Nuuk for urgent care on February 21.