Trump: We will buy 11 icebreakers

Trump: We will buy 11 icebreakers

President Donald Trump is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to expand the U.S. icebreaker fleet, according to a recent post by Stubb on the social media platform X . This agreement, expected to be signed on Thursday, will involve the construction of up to 11 icebreakers, with four to be built in Finland and as many as seven in the United States.

The U.S. currently operates three vessels capable of breaking marine ice, but Trump aims to add 48 to the fleet. A bill passed earlier this year earmarked $8.6 billion to fund the construction of 17 ships, according to the U.S. Coast Guard . The new deal with Finland is part of a broader initiative to procure Arctic vessels, as global demand for icebreakers grows due to increasing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region.

The U.S. is looking to Finland for expertise in building advanced icebreakers. Finland has built more than half of the world's icebreakers, with a significant portion of this expertise developed during World War II when Finland had to build and deliver over 500 ships and boats for the Soviet Union as part of war reparations . Additionally, Finland is the only country in the world that becomes icebound in winter, necessitating the use of icebreakers to keep shipping lanes open year-round.

Commercial agreements on icebreakers between the U.S. Coast Guard and Finnish companies are set to follow the agreement, with the U.S. administration having negotiated directly with the shipbuilders. The cooperation benefits both countries, according to Stubb, who stated that the deal would not have been possible without President Trump's leadership .

The expansion of the U.S. icebreaker fleet is part of a broader strategy to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the Arctic. Russia, for instance, has a fleet of more than 40 icebreakers, with additional vessels under construction, and a memorandum of understanding with China to deepen cooperation in the Arctic region .