What are Icebreakers? Trump Says US Partnering with Finland for Arctic Region Ships

The United States and Finland have reached an agreement to build 11 new icebreakers, a move aimed at strengthening U.S. capabilities and defenses in the Arctic, leaders from both nations announced Thursday.

Under the deal, four of the ships will be built in Finland and seven in the United States. President Donald Trump, who announced the agreement alongside Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, said Finland would share its expertise in icebreaker construction with the U.S.

“I think this is a huge strategic decision by the president,” Stubb said, calling the Arctic a vital region for U.S. security and global interests. Trump had previously mentioned at the NATO summit in June that his administration was pursuing an icebreaker partnership with Finland.

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