President Donald Trump isn’t just looking to acquire Greenland as he tries to gain an edge in the artic, he also wants ships that navigate icy waters.
Trump said he is negotiating with Finland to buy 15 icebreaker vessels that can cut through seas that are frozen over.
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“I want to buy icebreakers. You know, you’re very good at icebreakers,” Trump said in response to question from a Finnish journalist June 25 during a press conference in the Netherlands as he prepared to depart a NATO summit.
Nations are rushing to gain an edge in the artic as it becomes more navigable because of climate change. Icebreakers would help the U.S. pursue it’s goals in the region.
Trump also has been trying to expand U.S. territory to the north, repeatedly talking about acquiring Greenland. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, traveled to a military base in Greenland recently.
Trump’s effort to acquire Greenland has met with strong opposition from Denmark, which governs the territory. The president suggested that his effort to buy icebreakers also could be controversial, saying he has discussed the issue with Finland’s president.
“I actually made him an offer. I didn’t go to Congress. They’ll try and impeach me for this,” Trump said.
Democrats have accused Trump of infringing on congressional spending authority.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump Greenland Finland arctic icebreakers Vance Denmark
