On Saturday, United States ruler Donald Trump said that he would send a “great hospital boat” to Greenland to take care of what he called its “many people who are sick, and not being taken care of.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen immediately rejected the idea, saying “no thank you.”

Trump has been attempting to acquire the Arctic island. A few months ago, he refused to rule out military intervention as a way to take the island by force if necessary. Since then, his rhetoric has softened slightly, with the U.S. ruler now wanting to “buy” and annex the autonomous territory from Denmark.

Trump Will Not “Rule Out” Military Action To Take Greenland By Force

U.S. Wants To Purchase Greenland

“President Trump’s idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens,” Nielsen said, contrasting it with the US system. “We are always open to dialogue and cooperation. Also with the USA. But now talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media,” he commented.

Any diplomatic talks would need to include respect for Greenland’s domestic decisions, Nielsen added.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen also said the island does not require unsolicited aid, especially in the form of U.S.-style healthcare, from Trump.

”The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs,” he told Danish outlet DR, as reported by RT, on Sunday, noting that citizens either receive medical help on the island or in Denmark.

Trump has continued to argue that he “needs” Greenland for national security reasons, claiming it is at risk from China and Russia, which have both dismissed the claims.

Trump Wants To Takeover Greenland For “National Security”

The annexation push has led to a growing diplomatic rift between Washington and its European NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies. While Trump has backed off the takeover rhetoric somewhat, it does not seem that he’s willing to give up the idea of acquiring Greenland entirely.