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Canada, U.S., Finland take step forward on ICE Pact plan to build icebreakers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2025 11:03 AM

Canada, the United States and Finland took a step toward building new icebreakers despite the breakdown in trade talks between Ottawa and the Trump administration.

Canada's Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman joined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto to sign a joint statement of intent in Washington today to strengthen industrial co-operation and bolster the countries' icebreaker fleets.

The statement says U.S. President Donald Trump still has support for the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, known as the ICE Pact, which was signed under President Joe Biden.

The bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States has been in turmoil and Trump previously dismissed Canada's role in building icebreakers.

Trump called off trade negotiations with Ottawa in October, citing an Ontario-funded advertisement quoting former president Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.

Noem says Canada has made good progress on securing its border with the United States but she did not say whether it would be enough to lift Trump's tariffs.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

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Darpan 10 with Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, British Columbia at RBC Royal Bank,

With over 30 years of experience, I am Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, British Columbia at RBC Royal Bank, leading a team of more than 8,000 workers and partners in BC, dedicated to providing financial advice and services to almost 2 million personal, small business and commercial clients.