The US needs more icebreakers. Finland, on the other hand, has the necessary know-how. According to President Stubb, NATO membership is crucial for starting cooperation.
17:00•Updated 17:19
WASHINGTON Finland is intensifying its icebreaker cooperation with the United States and Canada.
The president of the Republic Alexander StubbPresident of the United States Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau issued a joint statement on the matter on Thursday.
The purpose is to deepen cooperation in the construction of top-class icebreakers. It is hoped that it will increase the demand for icebreakers, benefiting all parties involved.
President Stubb estimates that this declaration would not have been made without Finland’s NATO membership. According to him, the declaration has great political and strategic significance.
Finland hopes that the partnership, known as the ICE Pact, will give a new lift to the domestic maritime industry, for example, and especially to those shipyards with Arctic expertise.
The press release of the Office of the President of the Republic states that the cooperation, if implemented, can open up markets for Finnish system and component suppliers for ships built in the United States and Canada, as well as for the modernization of shipyards.
The US needs more icebreakers
The cooperation has been discussed for several years, but closer preparation began this year.
The background is the growing economic and security political significance of the Arctic region. China’s activation in the region in particular has raised concerns.
The United States has a total of only two operational icebreakers in use, and they are also in poor condition.
The Office of the President of the Republic states that demand and supply meet in cooperation.
The United States needs to increase the number of icebreakers. Finland, on the other hand, has the necessary know-how.
The president’s office also underlines the importance of Finland’s NATO membership in the birth of cooperation. Finland is now seen as an ally.
The Everyday World Politics program discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine on Arctic cooperation. The episode was published in February.
US legislation can put a cap on the cart
American legislation makes it difficult to buy foreign-built ships in the United States.
The Jones Act is nearly a century old law that protects the US maritime industry.
The law stipulates that American ships carrying cargo from one US port to another must be built in the US.
It is unclear whether the law also applies to icebreakers.
According to the President’s office, these problems will be resolved in the negotiations, which seek a joint implementation plan.
In the negotiations, Finland also wants to ensure that cooperation is of concrete benefit to Finland. You don’t want to give away your skills without financial compensation.
The joint statement does not yet guarantee concrete actions, and does not bind Finland to anything.
Presidential elections are held in the United States in November, and a change of administration is possible. According to polls, it may even be likely.
However, according to the President’s office, there is support from both sides for cooperation.