WATCH LIVE: President Trump Holds Bilateral Meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to Finalize Icebreaker Ship Deal – 3:15 PM ET
President Trump is hosting the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, for a bilateral meeting at the White House this afternoon, where the two will reportedly finalize an agreement for the US Coast Guard to purchase icebreaker ships.
The ships are designed to cut through ice-covered waters in the Arctic region and will be used to counter Russia and China’s growing presence in the area, Fox reports.
Finland will reportedly sell four ships to the U.S., and seven more will be built in Texas and Louisiana.
Ahead of the meeting, Stubb wrote on X, “I will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on icebreaker cooperation together with POTUS.” He continued, “The US administration has negotiated directly with companies. I’m proud that Finnish arctic expertise is appreciated and trusted. The cooperation benefits both countries, Finland and the United States.”
“The deal would not have been possible without President Trump,” Stubb added.
The US administration has negotiated directly with companies.
I’m proud that Finnish arctic expertise is appreciated and trusted. The cooperation benefits both countries, Finland and the United States.
The deal would not have been possible without President Trump. 2/2
— Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) October 9, 2025
Stubb also met with several US Senators before his meeting with the President.
More from Reuters:
Trump has consistently called for the United States to acquire as many as 40 new icebreakers to enhance U.S. national security in the Arctic and counter the growing influence of China and Russia.
A White House official earlier said Trump would sign a memorandum of understanding with Finland to build four “Arctic security cutters” at shipyards in Finland, calling the plan a national security necessity to permit foreign construction.
“We will then leverage Finnish expertise to construct up to seven new ASCs in shipyards located in the United States,” the official said.
The 11 Arctic security cutters – new medium icebreakers to be used by the U.S. Coast Guard – are expected to cost about $6.1 billion, the official said.
President Trump’s meeting with Stubb is scheduled to begin at 3:15 pm ET.
Watch live below:
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