Greenland crisis US threats

Frederiksen's jab at Trump: "Happy to live in a country with free healthcare"

Following Donald Trump's statement about sending a hospital ship to Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is now speaking out on Facebook.

The leaders of Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected Trump's demands. Greenland is not for sale and the island's future is determined by the Greenlanders themselves, the message has been.

"I am happy to live in a country where everyone has free and equal access to healthcare. Where insurance and wealth do not determine whether you get the right treatment. The same principle applies in Greenland," she writes and concludes:

"Have a nice Sunday everyone."

Danish minister on Trump's statement: "Nothing I do on a Sunday"

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen tells TV2 that he has not been informed in advance that the United States is planning to send a hospital ship to Greenland. He also says that it is not something that either Greenland or Denmark needs.

When asked what Denmark will do if the ship is sent, he replies:

- Well, over and over and over. It is not something I spend my time on a Sunday morning.

The chairman of the Danish Foreign Affairs Committee, Christian Friis Bach, says that it is a mysterious signal that Trump is sending with his message, writes TV2.

- This is another example of the Americans exerting undue pressure on Greenland. And of course we must speak out, he says. 

Trump tonight: US sends hospital ship to Greenland

Donald Trump is sending a hospital ship to Greenland, he announces on Truth Social. According to the president, the ship will "take care of the many people who are sick and are not being cared for there".

"It is on its way!!!" he concludes his short post.

CNN writes that it is unclear what Trump is referring to and reminds us that Denmark and Greenland have free, state-funded healthcare. Several media outlets are now chasing the authorities in both countries in search of more information.

In the post, Trump also posts an AI-generated image of the USNS Mercy, a 272-meter-long ship that is usually located in Southern California. However, it is unclear whether that ship is actually on its way, writes AFP.

The Greenland crisis — it's about the matter

• Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded in 2025 and 2026 that the United States take control of Greenland. He has not ruled out military or economic pressure.
• The leaders of Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected Trump's demands. Greenland is not for sale and the island's future is determined by the Greenlanders themselves, the message has been.
• The US's move has led to a diplomatic crisis, major protests and has led to Sweden and several other European countries sending military personnel to the island.
• After threats of punitive tariffs against European countries that support Greenland, the trade agreement between the EU and the US was suspended. Relations between the US and Europe have deteriorated sharply.
• A framework agreement has since been discussed between the US, Denmark and NATO, but the Danish government has stressed that sovereignty over Greenland cannot be negotiated away and that the crisis has not yet been resolved.