News
Trump, Finnish President Expected to Reach Icebreaker Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are expected to meet at the White House on Thursday to finalize an agreement for the U.S. Coast Guard to purchase four icebreaker vessels from Finnish shipyards, according to statements from both the White House and President Stubb.
Since Trump took office in January, he and Stubb have developed a cordial relationship. The two previously met in March at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where they played a round of golf together.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Stubb wrote, “I will sign a memorandum of understanding on icebreaker cooperation with President Donald Trump.” He added that the agreement would pave the way for future commercial partnerships between the U.S. Coast Guard and Finnish companies.
Trump has repeatedly called for the construction of 40 new icebreakers to strengthen U.S. national security in the Arctic and counter China and Russia’s growing presence in the region.
A White House official said earlier that Trump plans to sign an MOU with Finland to build four “Arctic Security Cutters (ASC)” at Finnish shipyards. The official described the move as a national security necessity, justifying the decision to allow foreign construction.
“After that,” the official added, “we plan to leverage Finland’s expertise to build seven additional ASCs at U.S.-based shipyards.”
Upgrading the Coast Guard Fleet
According to the official, the 11 Arctic Security Cutters—new medium-class icebreakers for the Coast Guard—are expected to cost roughly $6.1 billion in total.
Three vessels will be built by Davie Shipbuilding in Galveston, Texas, while four others will be constructed at Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana, the official said.
When contacted by Reuters, Davie declined to comment, and Bollinger Shipyards did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The goal is to deliver the first icebreaker by 2028. The deals, the official noted, will inject billions of dollars into America’s maritime industrial base and create thousands of skilled jobs for American workers.
Currently, the Coast Guard’s polar fleet includes only two operational Arctic Security Cutters.
Trump and Stubb are also expected to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. After previously attempting to persuade President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire, Trump has since expressed disappointment with the Russian leader and said he now intends to increase support for Ukraine.
Finland: A Global Leader in Icebreaker Production
The Finnish government said last year that the country is the world’s leading icebreaker manufacturer, with about 80% of the world’s existing icebreakers designed by Finnish companies and roughly 60% built in Finnish shipyards.
Finnish leaders have long pushed for icebreaker cooperation with the United States, but earlier efforts were blocked by a strict interpretation of the Jones Act, which prioritizes domestic shipbuilding for U.S. maritime projects.
However, a 2021 U.S. Congressional report concluded that the Jones Act does not apply to icebreakers, and that the president has the authority to grant exemptions for foreign construction under other legal frameworks.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
