Trump will sign the deal with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the White House on Thursday. The deal is expected to strengthen the U.S. presence in the Arctic region as Russia and China’s influence grows there.<\/p>\n

Stubb said on social media that he would sign the deal during his visit and that the agreement would benefit Finnish companies by facilitating the construction of four ships.<\/p>\n

“The memorandum lays the foundation for commercial agreements between the U.S. Coast Guard and Finnish companies,” he wrote.<\/a><\/p>\n

“The U.S. administration has held negotiations directly with companies. It is great that Finnish expertise is trusted. The cooperation benefits Finland and the United States. The agreement would not have been possible without President Trump,” he added.<\/p>\n

The 11 Arctic security cutters, which will be used by the U.S. Coast Guard, are expected to cost $6.1 billion.<\/a> The Coast Guard only has two active Arctic security cutters.<\/p>\n

Three ships will be built in Galveston, Texas, and the other four in Houma, Louisiana, Fox News reported. Davie Shipbuilding, a Quebec-based company, will build the ships in Texas, and Bollinger Shipyards will build the ships in Louisiana.<\/p>\n

The first ship is expected in 2028, the outlet reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trump promised dozens of new icebreakers to the Coast Guard earlier this year. Coast Guard leadership was excited at the prospect, though it admitted that many ships weren’t necessary.<\/p>\n

“Whenever your boss is interested in 40 icebreakers, you are very happy, right? I mean, this has been something that we’ve been trying to do for a long time,” Vice Adm. Thomas Allan, the Coast Guard’s acting deputy commandant for operations, said at a conference in April.<\/a><\/p>\n

“I will tell you that when you look at what the strategic studies have said for the Coast Guard, I kind of go back to that eight or nine [number], right? Eight or nine big, heavy icebreakers — at least three of them in that role,” he said. “I’d just say it’s very exciting to see your boss point towards a vision that we’ve had for a long time.”<\/p>\n

TRUMP ‘ISN’T HOLDING HIS BREATH’ OVER THIS YEAR’S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The administration told Breaking Defense that it was prioritizing building icebreakers at the time. “This administration is prioritizing building icebreakers as part of their initiative to revitalize America’s maritime and shipbuilding industries,” National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said then.<\/p>\n

U.S. officials have noted that Russia has over 40 icebreaking ships, far outnumbering the U.S. arsenal. The country has also signed a memorandum of understanding with China to deepen their cooperation in the Arctic region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n