WASHINGTON — In a significant development for international cooperation, officials from the United States, Canada, and Finland convened today in Washington to formally sign a joint memorandum of understanding, marking a pivotal advancement in the trilateral ICE Pact initiative, which focuses on strategic high-north issues and stands as one of the Biden administration’s hallmark foreign policy endeavors.
According to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the resources located in the Arctic are “vital to the economic, national and homeland security of the United States and our allies.” This statement was delivered during a ceremonial event hosted at DHS’s headquarters in Washington. Mayorkas was joined by key figures, including Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s minister of public services and procurement; Willie Rydman, Finland’s minister of economic affairs; and Amos Hochstein, a special advisor to President Joe Biden, highlighting the cross-national collaboration fundamental to this initiative.
Mayorkas elaborated on the implications of Arctic resource management, warning that “ceding these reserves and the batteries, semiconductors, magnets and energy resources that are derived from them to our adversaries in Russia or to our rivals in the People’s Republic of China could soon lead to higher prices at our gas pumps and on our heating bills.” He further emphasized the risk to military readiness and national security, stating that failure to secure these resources might “jeopardize the readiness of our armed forces” and compromise the integrity of critical technology sectors. “In a crisis,” he noted, “it could subject us to Russian or Chinese largesse in order to access essential goods like food and medical supplies, among many other risks.”
The new memorandum encompasses four key elements aimed at fostering collaboration among the three nations. According to a DHS statement, these elements include enhanced information exchange, workforce development collaboration, robust engagement with allies and partners, and focused research and development efforts.
“Today, we’re taking the next step under that agreement,” Duclos stated. “The joint memorandum of understanding we’re signing today will develop world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers through the exchange of knowledge and resources in each other countries. Equally importantly, that will create more good paying jobs in the United States, in Finland, and in Canada.”
This new memorandum follows a significant announcement made earlier this year during the NATO summit, where the leaders of the three countries asserted their commitment to working collaboratively to design and construct advanced Arctic icebreakers. This initiative capitalizes on the economic prowess of the American defense industrial base and leverages the specialized shipbuilding expertise available in Canada and Finland.
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Mayorkas emphasized the urgency of this project by referencing Russian President Putin’s remarks to shipbuilders, stating that, quote, “strengthening the nation’s icebreaker fleet is crucial to our plans for Arctic development and boosting cargo traffic.” This underlines the strategic focus of the icebreaker initiative in countering potential threats and securing critical routes and resources in the Arctic.
Rydman, Finland’s minister, remarked on the transformed geopolitical landscape following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has significantly altered how nations view the Arctic’s potential. “Previously, the Arctic and its fragile environments offered untapped business potential to be realized in a sustainable way,” Rydman noted. “But as said, now, our concerns are different.” He asserted that the current geopolitical situation necessitates a capability to operate effectively in polar regions to uphold peace and stability, essential for fostering new, efficient shipping routes and enabling sustainable resource exploration.
The collaboration is set to leverage Finland’s exemplary capabilities in icebreaker construction, which presents a substantial opportunity for cost savings for both the United States and Canada. Experts Jason Moyer and Rickard Lindholm, affiliated with the DC-based think tank the Wilson Center, recently reported that constructing an icebreaker in Finland could be “approximately a fifth of the price” compared to similar efforts in the United States and that the project could be “completed in about 24 months after a contract is signed,” indicating an efficient and economically viable pathway to bolstering Arctic presence and capabilities.
How does the collaboration outlined in the memorandum aim to create jobs and enhance technological innovation in Arctic operations?
**Interview with Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Secretary Mayorkas. Let’s start with the recent signing of the joint memorandum between the United States, Canada, and Finland. Why is this memorandum significant for the future of Arctic resource management?
**Mayorkas:** Thank you for having me. This memorandum represents a critical step in our efforts to ensure that we effectively manage Arctic resources. It underscores the economic and national security importance of these resources not just to the United States but also to our allies. By collaborating with Canada and Finland, we can strengthen our position in the Arctic and prevent adversaries like Russia and China from gaining an upper hand.
**Editor:** You mentioned the risks associated with allowing adversaries to control Arctic resources. Can you elaborate on how this might impact daily life for Americans?
**Mayorkas:** Certainly. If we allow our adversaries to monopolize vital resources such as batteries, semiconductors, and energy supplies, it could lead to increased prices at gas pumps and heating bills. More critically, it poses a genuine risk to our military readiness. Without access to these resources, we might find ourselves in a position where we have to rely on foreign powers for essential goods, which could put our security at risk, especially in times of crisis.
**Editor:** The memorandum includes four key elements aimed at fostering collaboration. Could you highlight one that stands out to you?
**Mayorkas:** One of the standout elements is the enhanced information exchange between our three nations. This will allow us to better coordinate our efforts in resource management, share best practices, and foster innovation in technology related to Arctic operations, ultimately strengthening our collective security and readiness.
**Editor:** Minister Duclos mentioned that this initiative would also create good-paying jobs. How do you envision this happening?
**Mayorkas:** By developing world-class Arctic and polar icebreakers, we will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also create jobs in shipbuilding and related sectors. The partnership leverages the economic strengths of each nation, ensuring that we’re not just securing our resources but also investing in our workforce.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what do you see as the next steps following this memorandum?
**Mayorkas:** The immediate next step is to take tangible actions based on this agreement, particularly in the areas of workforce development and research initiatives. Our collaboration will evolve as we engage with more allies and assess the technological needs of our Arctic operations. This is just the beginning of a significant partnership that I believe will yield lasting benefits for our nations.
**Editor:** Thank you, Secretary Mayorkas, for your insights today. It’s clear that this memorandum is not just a document, but a significant move towards securing our collective interests in the Arctic.
**Mayorkas:** Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we continue to work together for a stable and secure future in the Arctic region.
