President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States plans to buy a “large number” of icebreakers from Finland to boost American capabilities in the Arctic.
The announcement followed a golf game between Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb at Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
“President Stubb and I look forward to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Finland, and that includes the purchase and development of a large number of badly needed icebreakers for the U.S.,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Finland is the world’s leading icebreaker producer. About 80% of icebreakers globally are designed by Finnish companies, and more than half are built in Finnish shipyards.
The U.S. currently has two working icebreakers, while Russia operates 36. Russia is also building new ships, including the nuclear-powered Rossiya.
Arctic operations have become a growing concern for the U.S., with increased activity from Russia and China in the region.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Coast Guard has awarded Louisiana-based shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards a $951.6 million contract to advance the construction of U.S.’s first new heavy icebreaker in nearly 50 years, the USCGC (United States Coast Guard Cutter) Polar Sentinel.
