Trump Tax Package Channels $8.6 Billion into Coast Guard Arctic Icebreakers

President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled tax and spending package sets aside more than $8.6 billion to enlarge the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaker fleet, a move aimed at reasserting American influence in an increasingly contested Arctic. The measure allocates $4.3 billion for up to three heavy Polar Security Cutters, $3.5 billion for medium Arctic Security Cutters and $816 million for additional light and medium vessels. The Coast Guard, which now operates just three polar-capable ships, has said it needs eight to nine to meet strategic requirements. U.S. officials say a stronger icebreaker force is critical as melting sea ice opens new shipping lanes and as Russia, with 57 ice-capable ships, and China expand their own Arctic operations. Washington, Canada and Finland last year formed the “ICE Pact” to build as many as 90 icebreakers over the next decade. Potential builders of the U.S. vessels include Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore, which have created the United Shipbuilding Alliance, as well as Quebec’s Davie Shipbuilding and Singapore-owned Keppel Amfels. Some foreign construction would require a presidential waiver under U.S. procurement rules.