President: Finland offers key opportunities for US in technology, defence, and icebreakers

Finland has much to offer the modern United States that favours bilateral agreements, according to Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Speaking to radio station Svenska Yle on February 27, Stubb emphasized that Finland presents numerous opportunities for collaboration in areas such as icebreakers, technology, and defence.

Stubb also commented on the significant changes in US international politics, noting that US foreign policy has become more unstable in recent times. He suggested that if the United States follows through on its threat of imposing 25 per cent tariffs on the EU, the European Union could respond by entering into new free trade agreements. Stubb pointed out that the EU already has numerous free trade agreements with 70 countries worldwide.

In his assessment, Stubb predicted that market reactions to such tariffs could eventually prompt President Trump to reconsider his tariff-driven trade policies. “The truth is that duties are not good for the United States. They cause inflation and weaken the country's economy,” he stated.

Despite the current unpredictability in US foreign policy, Stubb expressed scepticism about the United States withdrawing from NATO, even though the US has shown less commitment to some global organizations, including the UN, WTO, and the Paris Climate Agreement. He argued that NATO continues to provide direct benefits to the US, strengthening his belief that the US is unlikely to exit the alliance.

“As part of the European Union and NATO, we can try to convince Trump that staying in NATO is a good compromise,” Stubb added.

By Tamilla Hasanova