Trump to send ‘floating hospital’ to Greenland

US President Donald Trump has announced the sending of a floating ‘hospital ship’ to the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland. In a post on social media on Saturday (February 21), he said that a large hospital ship is being sent there with the help of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
Trump claimed that many sick people in Greenland are not receiving proper treatment and this step has been taken to serve them. He also attached a picture of the US Navy hospital ship ‘USS Mercy’ with his message. President Trump’s announcement has caused a lot of confusion and surprise in diplomatic circles. Because Greenland and Denmark have advanced and nationalized healthcare systems, which are provided completely free of charge to citizens.
There was no immediate comment from the Danish government or the Greenland parliament after Trump’s announcement. In December, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy for Greenland. Landry welcomed the president’s initiative, calling it “very important.”
Trump has long been interested in acquiring or purchasing the strategically important Greenland. Last January, he announced a “future agreement outline” for Greenland with the head of NATO, which has raised concerns among European allies. Many believe that this increasing US intervention is putting Greenland’s sovereignty at risk. In particular, there is a strong negative attitude among Greenland’s locals towards the US private healthcare system.
The US Navy currently has two mobile hospital ships, the ‘USS Mercy’ and the ‘USS Comfort’, which are usually used in humanitarian disasters or during war. There is currently a US military base in Greenland called the ‘Pitufik Space Base’. There has been much discussion in international circles about whether Trump’s new move is simply humanitarian aid or part of a strategy to establish full control over Greenland.

Source: CNN