Pompeo on China’s Arctic Ambitions: There Are No ‘Near-Arctic’ States

Ahead of Tuesday’s Arctic Council ministerial meeting, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used a speech in Finland Monday to challenge China’s claim to be a “near-Arctic” country, amid attempts to extend its ambitious Belt-and-Road initiative to the vast northern region. He also criticized Russia’s approach to the Arctic, accusing both China and Russia of working against U.S. interests there.