Arctic set to become global hotspot, US Secretary of State nominee says

In the coming decades, the Arctic is set to become one of the most strategically significant regions globally, driven by the impacts of climate change, Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State nominee, said.

During a Senate hearing, Rubio outlined the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic as rising temperatures open new maritime trade routes, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"In the next 50 to 100 years, the Arctic will be one of the most important regions in the world," Rubio asserted. He emphasized that the warming climate would facilitate new shipping pathways through the Arctic, reshaping global trade dynamics.

Rubio underscored the necessity for the United States to maintain a strong presence in the Arctic, particularly in Greenland. This territory, often highlighted by President-elect Donald Trump in recent weeks, holds strategic significance both for its geographical location and its wealth of natural resources. "Greenland is a strategically important territory. It has to do with geography and the fact that there are important minerals there for us," Rubio explained.

While discussing the role of other global powers in the Arctic, Rubio made it clear that China should not play a prominent role in the region. "We are an Arctic power. Russia is, too. But not China," he remarked, reflecting the growing competition for influence in the region between the US and Russia.

Rubio’s statements align with broader concerns among US policymakers about securing Arctic resources and trade routes as the region becomes more accessible due to climate change. The Arctic’s emerging geopolitical importance is expected to shape global power dynamics in the years to come.

By Vafa Guliyeva