During his visit to Iceland, Pence praised the north Atlantic NATO ally for rejecting China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He also urged the country to reject the technology of China’s Huawei, the world’s largest telecoms equipment provider, which the United States has accused of being able to spy for Beijing.
The vice president also reiterated the U.S. stance that Russia and China were increasingly active across the Arctic region and praised Reykjavik for its security cooperation.
Amid growing divisions in the polar region over melting ice and access to minerals, the United States has expressed concerns that Russia is behaving aggressively in the Arctic and said China’s actions there have to be watched closely as well.
On Wednesday, Pence also met with Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson and Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson who reiterated the need for closer ties, following trade talks between the two countries when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited in February.
(Production: Arlene Eiras)