U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to send a hospital ship to Greenland with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, drawing a quick rejection from Greenland’s prime minister.
Trump announced the plan on social media moments before hosting a dinner for Republican governors at the White House, where he sat next to and chatted with Landry.
"Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, 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!!!" he said.
Neither the White House nor Landry's office responded to queries about the post, including whether Denmark or Greenland had asked for assistance or which patients needed treatment.
The U.S. Department of Defense had no immediate comment.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Sunday "no thanks" to the idea.
"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," he said in a Facebook post.
Nielsen added that Greenland was open to cooperation, including with the U.S., "But talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media," he said.
Trump’s post appeared hours after Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command said it had evacuated a U.S. submarine crew member who "required urgent medical treatment" seven nautical miles from Nuuk.
It remained unclear whether the hospital ship claim had any link to the evacuation or, as the article noted, "what connection Landry had with the matter".
The U.S. Navy operates two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, though neither is based in Louisiana, leaving open which vessel Trump was referring to and whether any deployment had been authorised.
Danish King Frederik visited Greenland for the second time in a year last week, an effort to signal unity with the territory as Trump renews his push to acquire the island.
Trump’s interest in the territory, including past suggestions that the United States should acquire it, has strained relations with Denmark and raised concerns within the NATO alliance.
Trump said the U.S. must act on Greenland or risk Russia or China gaining influence there, warning, “We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not… we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour.”
Russia rejected the claim as a “myth” meant to stir hysteria, while China said it has no intention of seeking influence in Greenland and aims only to be a “positive, stabilising and constructive force.”
Danish and Greenlandic leaders have defended Greenland’s autonomy and rejected proposals for U.S. ownership, while recent diplomatic talks and visits have aimed to ease frictions created by the issue.
Greenland’s government has said it will pursue defence arrangements within NATO rather than accept any unilateral takeover.
Greenland, Denmark and the U.S. held talks late last month aimed at easing tensions inside the NATO defence alliance.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claime...
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city...
Concerns are growing over a renewed cholera outbreak in Yemen, after years of conflict has left the country's healthcare system struggling to cope....
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi have discussed arrangements to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 11 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The former roommate of the man accused of killing conservative American activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk said Tyler Robinson expressed regret a day after the murder. In a video interview played in court, the roommate told prosecutors that Robinson planned to turn himself in to police.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi pummelled Japan's southern Sakishima island chain with heavy rain and violent winds on Saturday as it headed towards Taiwan, prompting authorities to warn of the risks of floods and landslides.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
Two men were killed and six other people were injured in a shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night, police said.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress, has died following a brief and sudden illness. He was 71-years-old.
Five major carmakers have largely won the first stage of a major legal battle at a High Court case brought by around 1.6 million claimants in the UK over allegations that their diesel vehicles were fitted with unlawful "defeat devices" that led to higher emissions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment