The US President has ramped up the aggression towards China and Russia as he orders new icebreaker ships for the Arctic in a $9billion bill with contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters
Tensions between the US, China and Russia are showing no sign of easing off as Donald Trump has ordered a fleet of icebreakers to patrol the Arctic.
It was revealed that the US President requested the powerful ships as part of a massive $9billion (£6.6billion) bill, as he confusingly praises the dictators while also deeming their presence in the Arctic a threat. The US Coast Guard announced on Wednesday it awarded contracts for 11 Arctic Security Cutters, fulfilling Trump’s directive to rapidly grow America’s icebreaker fleet.
The White House bill said this order “addresses growing strategic competition, aggressive military posturing, and economic encroachment by foreign adversaries”.
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The bill added these enemy nations and their activities were also “threaten U.S. interests in the Arctic”. The latest award is for construction of up to five Arctic Security Cutters, “marking a historic milestone in US Arctic capability,” said the US Coast Guard.
These will be added to the fleet of other icebreakers already ordered on December 29, bringing the total up to 11 new ships. The US Coast Guard said: “Together, these cutters will form the backbone of a revitalised US icebreaker fleet, protecting US sovereignty and dominance in the Arctic.”
Secretary Kristi Noem said: “America has been an Arctic nation for over 150 years, and we’re finally acting like it under President Trump. Our adversaries continue to look to grow their presence in the Arctic, equipping the Coast Guard with Arctic Security Cutters will help reassert American maritime dominance there. Revitalising the US Coast Guard’s icebreaking capabilities is crucial for our security and prosperity, and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.”
This comes after Trump launched threats at Greenland saying the US “must have” the world’s largest island. He claimed the mineral-rich Danish territory is vital for American security and he needed to seize the land before Russia and China, claiming the two nations were looking to do the same.
When asked, in January, why the current US military presence on the island was not enough he claimed the US needed to “own” Greenland. He said: “Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don’t defend leases. And we’ll have to defend Greenland.”
Davie Defense, Inc. will construct two Arctic Security Cutters at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland and three domestically. Delivery of the first Arctic Security Cutter is expected in early 2028. The US Coast Guard said: “Acquisition of Arctic Security Cutters supports the Coast Guard’s modernisation under Force Design 2028, transforming the Service into a more agile, capable and responsive fighting force.”
The UK sent out a military officer to Greenland last month to support Denmark’s position against Trump’s threats on the island. Downing Street confirmed that at Denmark’s request, one UK military officer was assigned to a reconnaissance group in preparation for an upcoming Arctic Endurance exercise.
Despite these actions, the US President has previously appeared to cosy up to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during this second term. Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in August, 2025, when the brutal Russian dictator was invited to Alaska for talks. A White House previously confirmed Trump and Putin “are very good friends” and they were “strengthening” their relationship.