https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/11/us-canada-finland-ice-pact-arctic
Partnership could produce up to 90 icebreaker ships to counter Russian and Chinese inroads into region
Thats why theyre doing it.
More trade lanes opening and resourcing opportunities.
Russia is also part of the Arctic Council but are allowing China influence in when the Chinese have no claim to the region.
This is an early counter.
That's the point. Less ice means shipping vessels can use the Northwest Passage as a way to navigate between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. If the territory is "owned" by a country, or a group of countries, all vessels can be charged a fee for using it just like the Panama and Suez Canals. Most northern countries have been fighting over ownership of the Northwest Passage for decades. Canada even moved native populations further north to strengthen their claim.
Well, more than a few. Dozens, maybe. In the meanwhile, all that ice from sheltered bays is melting out and filling the straits with crud.