(DDM) – US President Donald Trump has announced plans to send a naval hospital ship to Greenland, even as authorities in the Arctic territory indicated they do not require such assistance.
Trump made the declaration on Saturday through a post on social media.
In the message, he said the United States would dispatch a “great hospital boat” to Greenland to provide medical care for residents he claimed were not being adequately treated.
The president added that he was working with Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana, in organizing the mission.
Trump’s post included an illustration of the US naval hospital ship USNS Mercy, one of two hospital vessels operated by the US Navy.
It remains unclear what specific circumstances prompted the president’s announcement.
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, operates under a publicly funded healthcare system similar to Denmark’s nationalized model.
Both Greenland and Denmark provide universal healthcare services to their populations.
Officials in Greenland have previously indicated that they are not seeking US intervention in their domestic affairs.
The territory has also rejected earlier suggestions by Trump regarding potential US acquisition of Greenland.
Trump first expressed interest in purchasing Greenland during his previous administration, a proposal that was firmly dismissed by Danish authorities.
The latest announcement appears to revive attention on US engagement with the strategically located Arctic territory.
Greenland occupies a critical geopolitical position between North America and Europe, and its Arctic resources have long attracted international interest.
CNN reported that it contacted the White House and Governor Landry’s office for clarification regarding the hospital ship announcement.
The US Department of Defense referred inquiries to United States Northern Command, which subsequently directed questions to the United States Navy.
As of the latest update, the Navy had not responded to requests for comment.
Analysts note that deploying a naval hospital ship typically involves coordination with host governments and military planning authorities.
Such vessels are generally used for humanitarian missions, disaster relief operations, or medical support during crises.
The absence of an identified emergency in Greenland has raised questions about the intent and logistics of the proposed deployment.
Further clarification from US or Greenlandic officials is expected as discussions continue.
