U.S., Canada, Finland Sign Icebreaker Agreement

The United States, Canada, and Finland have signed a joint memorandum to enhance cooperation in building icebreaker ships as part of the ICE Pact initiative, aimed at securing Arctic resources and asserting their collective presence in the region. Key officials, including DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, emphasized that Arctic resources are vital for national security and warned against ceding them to adversaries like Russia and China. The memorandum includes commitments to share expertise and resources, fostering joint research and development efforts to create world-class icebreakers. Currently, the U.S. has only two operational icebreakers, with assessments indicating a need for at least nine to effectively conduct Arctic missions. This partnership is viewed as essential for bolstering shipbuilding capabilities and creating jobs across the three nations, amid growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to maintain international rules and security in polar regions.