Landry: Denmark's system does not fit Greenland

Odense Mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel invites to coffee mic at Odense City Hall on April 19.

According to the mayor, the coffee mic is being held to mark the strong bond between Odense and Greenland:

- A bond that we must cherish at a time when our Greenlandic friends are under great and unfair pressure from outside. As recently as yesterday, Trump called Greenland "a poorly managed piece of ice," the mayor writes on his Facebook page.

He calls Trump's comment disrespectful and believes that the case emphasizes that there is still a great need to stand close together - shoulder to shoulder:

- We have a common task here to both preserve - but also strengthen - the connection between our people, with whom we share so much. And we here in Odense would like to make an extra effort to do so, says the mayor.

The invitation can be found on the mayor's Facebook page.

Acting Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasizes in a statement to TV2 that US President Donald Trump has not given up his vision for Greenland.

Trump has again spoken out about Greenland on Thursday night, criticizing NATO and calling Greenland "a piece of ice that is poorly governed".

Rasmussen emphasizes that it is "not a nice comment" for Denmark.

- But I have no interest in escalating the situation by expressing my honest opinion, he tells TV 2.

The Chairman of the Greenland Government has stated that diplomatic negotiations between Greenland, Denmark and the USA are still ongoing.

Member of Parliament Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) is now also reacting to last night's statement from Donald Trump:

- Words can harm, hurt and arouse anger. We feel this when our country is referred to as a “poorly governed piece of ice” by the American president, writes Naaja H. Nathanielsen on Facebook.

She says that the words from the American president are designed to create a reaction in politicians and the media. She will therefore reiterate that Greenland is a well-functioning democracy, a legal society that recognizes international law and is inhabited by a people with its own culture.

- The president’s statement is linked to his frustration with the NATO alliance. But it will not be a post on Truth Social that will be the end of NATO. Nor will it be our refusal to become American, Naaja H. Nathanielsen believes.

She says, however, that the NATO alliance is under pressure and must be renewed. She emphasizes, however, that Greenland will not be cowed:

- We will not be cowed and will not accept being talked down to. We have shown a willingness to cooperate and seriousness, and I send good vibrations to the Government of Greenland, which again today must deal with a post on social media in addition to the great work that goes on every day to develop the country, writes Naaja H. Nathanielsen.

Former member of parliament Aaja Chemnitz (IA) reacts on Facebook to Donald Trump's new statements about Greenland:

- It is, however, incredible what tyranny we must not put up with from Trump, writes Aaja Chemnitz and continues:

- Insisting on calling our homeland a piece of ice that is poorly managed shows once again the lack of respect for our country.

In recent days, Donald Trump has linked his desire for Greenland with a criticism of NATO. He apparently believes that NATO should have helped him get Greenland.

Aaja Chemnitz sees it as Trump wanting to use Greenland as an excuse to withdraw the US from NATO, and she makes a call to the alliance:

- Now is the time for NATO to show whether there is unity and some respect left - for itself and for our country, writes Aaja Chemnitz.

The newly elected member of parliament, Naaja H. Nathanielsen, is now responding to Donald Trump's repeated desire to take over Greenland.

In a short update on Facebook, Naaja H. Nathanielsen states that Greenland has the right to self-determination:

- Unfortunately, we live in a time when we must again and again state that we are a people, a culture and a country with the right to self-determination. We control the direction of the sled. Strong forces are copying a rhetoric that belongs to the past these years.

- You can see it seeping into society, so that it no longer only belongs to the outer fringes. It must be spoken against and not silenced. Greenland is a democracy. We recognize international law. And it is not up to other countries to define our present or future. Threatening with superior force is not winning. It is a declaration of bankruptcy, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen.

The Danish healthcare system suits Denmark, but it does not suit Greenland.

This is what Jeff Landry, the US special envoy to Greenland, writes on the social media X.

Despite the fact that the healthcare system in Greenland functions in the same way as in Denmark, he does not believe that it has the same outcome.

- Deploying a US military hospital ship to Greenland would significantly expand access to advanced diagnostics, surgical services and preventive care, writes Jeff Landry.

According to him, President Donald Trump is committed to strengthening health outcomes across the country.

The well-known Trump supporter Jørgen Boassen has visited the US earlier this month with the country's special envoy to Greenland and governor of Louisiana Jeff Landry.

Boassen tells TV2 that he has spoken to Jeff Landry about the Greenlandic health system:

- Our health system is faltering, and getting sick in Greenland is a death sentence, Jørgen Boassen tells TV2.

Boassen believes that Greenland should accept any help for the healthcare system from the United States.

Over the weekend, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he, in collaboration with Jeff Landry, was sending “a fantastic hospital ship” to Greenland, which would treat the sick who are not being cared for.

Trump's announcement came immediately after he had been to dinner with Jeff Landry in Washington.

Trump's hospital ship has immediately received a cool reception from the chairman of the Greenlandic government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), who has urged the president and the United States to address the issue through proper channels rather than “more or less random outbursts on social media.”

With his announcement to send a “fantastic hospital ship” to Greenland, the US president is trying to divert attention from the fact that an American submarine had to get help from Denmark and Greenland this weekend.

This is what former chief analyst at the Danish Defence Intelligence Service Jacob Kaarsbo told TV2, where he called Trump’s announcement a media stunt.

According to Jacob Kaarsbo, the episode about a crew member needing help on an American submarine off Nuuk is unpleasant for Trump:

- It is an unpleasant situation for Trump, which shows that he needs us and his allies, and it is a picture that the Americans cannot manage on their own in Greenland, Jacob Kaarsbo told TV2.

It was Saturday that the Arctic Command evacuated a crew member from the American submarine off Nuuk. According to the Arctic Command, the crew member needed urgent medical treatment.

As far as is known, the US special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, has not yet visited Greenland.

Landry has, however, had visits from Greenland by, among others, the well-known Trump supporter Jørgen Boassen. This is shown by a post on X from February 15.

In the post, Landry writes:

- Great to host some of the wonderful Greenlandic people for the Endymion ballet! We'll show them our amazing hospitality culture!

He has attached a picture of himself standing with Jørgen Boassen holding Erfalasorput.

Landry is currently on the field defending a proposal from Donald Trump to send a "fantastic hospital ship" to Greenland. Landry claims to have spoken to many Greenlanders who have pointed out that the healthcare system is a major problem.

The US has apparently not sent any official request to Greenland offering help. Chairman of Naalakkersusiut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), has made it clear that Greenland has its own healthcare system with free treatment for its citizens.

Member of the Danish Parliament Aaja Chemnitz is now reacting to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will send a hospital ship to Greenland.

- Another day. Another crazy news. Trump will send an unmaintained hospital ship to Greenland. It seems quite desperate and does not contribute to the permanent and sustained boost to the healthcare system that we need, she writes and continues:

- I even met Tom Dans, Trump's man in the Arctic, and he talked about how we had tuberculosis problems in Greenland, so I can see where their thinking comes from and the intention may be good in principle, but the solution is off the mark.

Aaja Chemnitz acknowledges that there are challenges within the healthcare sector in Greenland but points out that the challenges are being addressed. For example, 35 million have been allocated DKK more annually since the last general election, and this year an extra DKK 185 million has been allocated for treatment for Greenlanders who need treatment in Denmark.

- Our healthcare system is deeply challenged. Also more than what you see in Denmark. And it can best be solved with Denmark, as one of the richest and most well-educated countries in, for example, the health area. Not the USA, which has its problems in health.

- It requires closer and more committed efforts from Denmark in the health area in Greenland, writes Aaja Chemnitz.

During the coffee break in Katuaq, Chairman of the Greenland Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen gives a short interview to the press present,

He says, among other things, that he is very happy about the King's visit:

- He is popular and loved by the citizens of this country, and he is a very unifying figure. This is proven every time he is here.

- I am happy that he wanted to come, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

He is also asked about the signal the visit sends to the USA and Donald Trump:

- We have been in this situation for a long time. I think the most important thing is that the citizens of Greenland can feel the solidarity with the royal family, which proves to be very strong every year.

There is applause and cheers when King Frederik arrives at the coffee party in a packed Katuaq on Wednesday afternoon.

During the coffee party, the citizens present have the opportunity to greet the king, and this has drawn many from their homes and to the coffee party in the cultural center.

Two of the guests, Sussi Høegh from Ilulissat and Elisabeth Thorin from Qasigiannguit, are already in Katuaq. They hope to see the king up close.

- It is important for us to see the king in our town. That is why we are sitting here as guests in the coffee shop, says Sussi Høegh and continues:

- I am not very good at Danish. But I would tell him that one of our classmates in the pedagogical school, Frederik, would very much like to greet him, says Sussi Høegh.

Sitting opposite Elisabeth Thorin:

- I would say to him in Greenlandic, "tikilluarit", (welcome, ed.). That is it, says Elisabeth Thorin.

Before 3:45 p.m., Katuaq had to lock its doors because there were no more seats inside Katuaq.

The final preparations for the coffee party in Katuaq are almost complete.

Katuaq's director Ivaaq Kriegel informs Sermitsiaq that the cultural center expects 500 guests this afternoon:

- We have baked cakes for about 500 guests. And we expect the number of guests to be about 500. When the guests start arriving, we will get busy brewing fresh coffee, says Ivaaq Kriegel.

The director informs that Katuaq's doors will open to guests as early as 3:00 p.m. King Frederik is expected to arrive at 3:45 p.m.:

- We know that the king would very much like to greet guests who come here, says Ivaaq Kriegel.

A little after 3 p.m., a number of citizens have already arrived in Katuaq to be ready for the coffee meeting, which begins at 3:45 p.m.

The next item on the agenda is a visit to the Norwegian Defence Force ship Vædderen in the harbour in Nuuk.

Here, students from Arctic Basic Education greet the King, as well as showing off equipment to King Frederik and Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Due to the coffee break in connection with the King's visit to Nuuk, the police will be heavily present around Katuaq.

This is what the Greenland Police writes on their Facebook page.

- In addition, increased traffic is expected around Katuaq between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in connection with the planned coffee break, it says.

Citizens are urged to show consideration for each other in traffic in the area.

King Frederik visits Royal Greenland in Nuuk, where he is given a tour of the company's factory.

Sermitsiaq's reporter reports from the scene that the work of filleting fish at the factory continues while the king is visiting.

King Frederik and his entourage are appropriately dressed in plastic suits and masks for reasons of hygiene during the tour.

During the tour, the King greets one of the employees and gets a little explanation about the different machines, while he listens with interest.

Chairman of the Greenlandic Government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, is also on the tour.

Helga Rina Kristoffersen is 18 years old and is in the first year of GUX.

She is one of those who sang for King Frederik during his visit to her place of education on Wednesday:

- I think it's great that he comes to visit us. But I won't be accompanying him on his further visits as I'm going to study myself, she tells Sermitsiaq.

GUX students have chosen to sing "Nuna asiilasooq" for the king during his visit on Wednesday.

Here the students were able to meet King Frederik, who is visiting GUX during his visit to Nuuk.

The next item on the day is a visit and tour of Royal Greenland, after which the trip continues to the inspection ship Vædderen, where King Frederik will meet students at the Arctic Basic Education.

The day ends with a coffee meeting in Katuaq at 3:45 p.m.

King Frederik has finished lunch and says a few words to the press as he comes out of Hans Egede's House:

- It is a great joy for me to be back in Greenland, he says and continues:

- The well-being of the Greenlandic people is very important to me. It always has been, and it always will be, says the king.

Here he is certainly referring to the pressure that the population has been under from the USA. The superpower has very directly expressed its desire to take over Greenland.

King Frederik has previously stated that the situation in Greenland has affected both him and Queen Mary very much.

King Frederik will continue to GUX after lunch:

- My program is now getting started, and I'm looking forward to walking up to the high school, where I will meet the youth and talk to them a little about how they see their country right now.