US reopens Greenland consulate and orders icebreakers

China and Russia activity spurs White House to strengthen footprint

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Wells pulls himself out from the Arctic Ocean during ice rescue training north of Barrow, Alaska. The Coast Guard's icebreaker Healy is seen in the background. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asian Review chief desk editor

June 11, 2020 07:58 JST

NEW YORK -- After a 67-year hiatus, the U.S. reopened a consulate in Greenland Wednesday, part of an effort to bolster its Arctic presence.

The opening comes a day after President Donald Trump issued a memorandum to the secretaries of Defense, Commerce, Energy and Homeland Security calling for the establishment of a fleet of polar security icebreakers that will be fully deployable by 2029.