US Working With 2 Key Allies to Combat Russia Threat in Arctic 

The U.S. is working alongside Canada and Finland to build more special ships capable of operating in the Arctic—a critical region that has drawn increased attention from Russia and China.  

“The Trump administration is taking a monumental step forward to protect the Arctic against our enemies,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday at the signing of a “Joint Statement of Intent” alongside officials from Canada and Finland.  

“The Arctic is the world’s last, most wild frontier, and our adversaries are racing to claim a strategic position, and its rich natural resources, for their own,” Noem said. “If we give up that high ground, then we will condemn future generations to permanent insecurity, and we’re not going to let that happen on our watch.”  

The agreement signed Tuesday affirms a commitment from the U.S., Canada, and Finland to work together to increase cooperation in the region through the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact, which the three nations signed in November 2024.  

Through the agreement, the three nations are sharing information, technology, and working together to develop the means and necessary tools to operate in the region. Now, the Trump administration is reaffirming and strengthening that agreement. 

In 2026, the U.S., Finland, and Canada will pursue industrial cooperation and workforce development as the nations build more icebreaker ships to navigate Arctic waters.  

Currently, the U.S. only has a handful of operational ships that are capable of cutting through the Arctic’s icy waters, and the U.S. and NATO only have a combined 47 total icebreakers and ice-capable patrol vessels, compared to Russia’s 57 vessels, according to a recent Heritage Foundation report.  

“To thrive in the Arctic, we need icebreakers. But if we’re going to get those icebreakers that we need, we need to secure our supply chains, and we need to invest in bringing our manufacturing back home to our American shores,” Noem said.  

The Arctic holds vast resources, including oil and natural gas. The shortest trade route between Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific runs through the Arctic Ocean, making safe access to the region an important economic advantage.  

“Russia has intentionally sought to counter NATO’s growing involvement in the Arctic,” according to The Heritage Foundation, raising concerns that Russia may seek to block NATO countries‘ access to trade routes through the region. China is also seeking to operate in Arctic waters and is pursuing a shipping route from China to Europe.  

The ICE Pact is “not just a symbolic agreement, it’s one that is delivering tangible results for all of our countries. It’s powering our economies. It’s strengthening our collective Arctic defense, and it’s bringing us one step closer to rebuilding our icebreaker fleets,” Noem said.  

In October, President Donald Trump signed an agreement to build 11 new icebreakers. The first four will be built in Finland and up to seven more will then be constructed in U.S. shipyards.  

“This partnership with [other] countries is extremely strategic and efficient in the fact that there will be continued construction while they train our workforce and build shipyards here in the United States to repurpose our shipbuilding activity and industry back in the United States,” Noem said.  

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