President Trump announces a US hospital ship is en route to Greenland, escalating tensions with Denmark over the strategic Arctic territory

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced he is sending a hospital ship to Greenland.

He said the vessel would treat many “sick” people in the autonomous Danish territory, which he has long coveted.

“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,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

“It’s on the way!!!,” he added.

The post on his Truth Social platform carried an apparent AI image of the USNS Mercy sailing toward snowcapped mountains.

It was unclear if that was the actual vessel being sent.

Trump said the ship would be sent in coordination with Governor Jeff Landry, who was named as Trump’s envoy to the Arctic island in December.

Trump’s rhetoric has ratcheted up tensions between the United States and Denmark.

He insists mineral-rich Greenland is vital for US and NATO security against Russia and China.

Earlier this week Denmark’s King Frederik X visited Greenland, where anxieties mount over Trump’s interest.

Trump backed off repeated threats to seize the territory last month.

He struck a “framework” deal with NATO chief Mark Rutte to ensure greater US influence instead.

 The Sun Malaysia