President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb struck a deal for the support of commercial agreements in the Arctic region.
“I am visiting the White House today with [Prime Minister Petreri Orpo]. I will sign a memorandum of understanding on icebreaker cooperation with [President Trump],” Stubb said on X. “The memorandum lays the foundation for commercial agreements between the U.S. Coast Guard and Finnish companies.”
“The U.S. administration has held negotiations directly with companies. It is great that Finnish expertise is trusted. The cooperation benefits Finland and the United States. The agreement would not have been possible without President Trump,” he continued.
Reuters reports that the deal will involve the United States acquiring up to 11 Arctic security cutters and will cost about $6.1 billion. The first is expected by 2028. Finland is to build four of the Arctic security cutters.
President Trump issued a memorandum on October 8 calling for the construction of Arctic security cutters. “The United States faces an urgent and growing threat in the Arctic region posed by strategic competition, aggressive military posturing, and economic encroachment by foreign adversaries,” the memo read. “These actions undermine United States sovereignty; jeopardize critical shipping lanes; and threaten energy, mineral, and national defense interests.”
“The United States Coast Guard’s fleet of icebreakers and Arctic-capable vessels remains insufficient to meet current operational demands and presents a national security risk,” the memo noted.
In August, the Trump administration commissioned the polar icebreaker USCGC Storis, marking a historic step in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s “mission to transform the U.S. Coast Guard into a more agile, capable fighting force ready for the challenges of the 21st century,” DHS announced.
The Storis is the nation’s first polar icebreaker in 25 years, the department explained, and serves as a symbol of the country’s “renewed commitment to defend our Homeland in the Arctic under President Trump,” expanding upon the nation’s operational presence in the Arctic region.
