加拿大與芬蘭展開「破冰外交」，攜手美國強化極地戰略合作

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在全球氣候變遷導致北極航道逐漸開放的背景下，加拿大與芬蘭分別與美國展開合作，推動極地破冰船的建造計畫，以強化三國在北極地區的戰略地位。

加拿大、芬蘭與美國於2024年7月共同簽署「破冰船合作倡議」（ICE Pact），旨在共同建造極地破冰船，提升三國在極地的作業能力。 

芬蘭擁有先進的破冰船設計與建造技術，提出由芬蘭船廠直接建造美國所需的破冰船，以滿足美方對快速交付的需求。 

加拿大則希望將其破冰船設計授權給美國，由美國本土船廠進行建造，以符合美國強調國內製造的政策。

美國目前僅有兩艘老舊的破冰船，無法滿足日益增長的極地任務需求。 

ICE Pact的簽署不僅有助於三國在極地的戰略部署，還將促進三國造船業的發展，創造就業機會，並加強在極地地區的合作與安全。 

三個重要觀點：

1. 強化極地戰略地位： 加拿大、芬蘭與美國透過ICE Pact合作建造破冰船，提升三國在北極地區的作業能力與戰略影響力。
2. 平衡國內製造與快速交付： 芬蘭主張由其船廠直接建造破冰船，以快速滿足需求；加拿大則建議將設計授權給美國，由美國本土建造，兼顧國內製造政策。
3. 促進經濟與就業： ICE Pact的實施將促進三國造船業的發展，創造就業機會，並加強在極地地區的合作與安全。 

Canada and Finland Engage in ‘Icebreaker Diplomacy’ to Strengthen Arctic Strategic Cooperation with the U.S.

As climate change opens up Arctic sea routes, Canada and Finland have initiated collaborations with the United States to build polar icebreakers, enhancing the trio’s strategic presence in the region.

In July 2024, Canada, Finland, and the U.S. signed the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) to jointly construct polar icebreakers, bolstering their operational capabilities in the Arctic. 

Finland, with its advanced icebreaker design and construction expertise, proposed building the required vessels in Finnish shipyards to meet the U.S.’s demand for rapid delivery.

Canada, on the other hand, suggested licensing its icebreaker designs to the U.S., allowing American shipyards to handle construction, aligning with the U.S. policy emphasizing domestic manufacturing.

Currently, the U.S. operates only two aging icebreakers, insufficient for the increasing demands of Arctic missions. 

The ICE Pact not only aids in strategic deployment in the Arctic but also promotes the shipbuilding industry across the three nations, creating jobs and enhancing cooperation and security in the polar regions. 

Three Key Points:

1. Enhancing Arctic Strategic Presence: Through the ICE Pact, Canada, Finland, and the U.S. aim to strengthen their operational capabilities and strategic influence in the Arctic region.
2. Balancing Domestic Manufacturing and Rapid Delivery: Finland advocates for constructing icebreakers in its shipyards for swift delivery, while Canada proposes licensing designs to the U.S. for domestic construction, aligning with U.S. manufacturing policies.
3. Economic and Employment Growth: The implementation of the ICE Pact is set to boost the shipbuilding industry in all three countries, create employment opportunities, and enhance cooperation and security in the polar regions.