Greenland prime minister says ‘no thanks’ to Trump’s hospital ship

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Sunday “no thanks” to U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea of sending a hospital ship to Greenland, a territory that Trump has repeatedly said he wishes to take over.

Trump said on Saturday on social media he was working with Louisiana Governor and special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, to send a hospital boat to Greenland.

Trump posts that the US is sending a "great hospital boat" to Greenland – "It's on the way!!!" .
He justifies this by saying it's to provide care for "many sick people who aren't being cared for there."

This is, of course, another lie.

USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, the only two… pic.twitter.com/kbqqKMWYiW

— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) February 22, 2026

“President Trump’s idea of ​​sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice,” Nielsen said in a post on Facebook.

Nielsen said Greenland remained open to dialogue and cooperation, also with the U.S.

“But talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media,” he said.

Greenland, Denmark and the U.S. late last month launched diplomatic talks to resolve the crisis between the parties, following months of tension within the NATO defence alliance over Trump’s threats against the Arctic territory.

Trump’s post on the ship came hours after said it had evacuated a crew member who required urgent medical treatment from a U.S. submarine in Greenlandic waters, seven nautical miles outside of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. It was unclear if the post had any connection to the evacuation.

A comparison between Greenland and U.S. health systems

Greenland’s healthcare system operates as a universal, publicly funded model integrated within the Kingdom of Denmark’s welfare framework. Residents receive free-at-point-of-use care, including hospital treatment, primary services, and prescriptions (with minor co-pays for certain aids like glasses or prosthetics). The system is managed by the Greenlandic government under the Agency for Health and Prevention, supported by substantial Danish block grants – approximately $11,000 per person annually – covering everything from regional hospitals in places like Ilulissat and Sisimiut to the national Queen Ingrid’s Hospital in Nuuk for specialized care. Challenges include vast geographic distances, reliance on telemedicine, staff shortages, and the need for medical evacuations or transfers to Denmark for advanced treatments, but the core principle ensures no one is denied care due to inability to pay.

In stark contrast, the United States maintains a predominantly private, market-driven healthcare system with a mix of employer-sponsored insurance, private plans, Medicaid for low-income groups, and Medicare for the elderly and disabled. As of 2026, the U.S. spends far more per capita on healthcare – around $13,000–$14,000 annually – than most nations, yet faces persistent issues of uneven access, high out-of-pocket costs, and millions uninsured or underinsured despite expansions under the Affordable Care Act. While the U.S. boasts advanced technology, top-tier hospitals, and rapid innovation in many urban areas, life expectancy lags (around 79–80 years overall) behind many peers, and affordability remains a major concern, with medical debt a leading cause of financial hardship. Greenland’s system prioritizes equity and universality at lower overall cost, while the U.S. excels in specialized capabilities but grapples with fragmentation and inequality.

Denmark is returning the favor and sending two hospital ships to America. pic.twitter.com/Qfkxg6JSEk

— Joe G (@EastEndJoe) February 22, 2026

With Reuters, with additional content by EUalive.

Caption: The visual illustrating Donald Trump’s post on social media in which he said he was going to send “a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick”.

Updated: February 22, 2026 - 17:45