Finland seems to be confused about how to work with the Trump administration. When Finland joined NATO, it thought the U.S. would help with defence and security. But now, it seems disappointed. As well as trade policy, the Finns are looking at the risks of reducing scientific and cultural links with the U.S., which could turn into traditional non-military threats. Finland is in the same situation as Russia was three years ago. How does it feel?
The policies of the Republican administration in the White House have had an impact on academic and cultural communities in Finland. In terms of Finnish-American cooperation, Finnish universities are being compelled to rethink or even discontinue research projects related to gender, diversity, indigenous people and climate change. The implementation of the Trump administration's policies on language control, which extends to Finland, has not been included in the plans for cooperation with the United States.
The decision by American experts to withdraw their participation in the Arctic Spirit conference, has added fuel to the fire in early April. This conference, which is held biennially in Rovaniemi in Finland and constitutes the largest event dedicated to security issues in the region, will now be without their expertise. Markku Heikkilä, Head of Science Communications at the Arctic Centre, says that the U.S. Army War College was planning to organize one of the panels at the event. However, it turned out that the experts were not permitted to travel to the conference.
The Finns consider the situation "uncertain" in relations with the U.S. and, so far, only shrug their shoulders, without taking any countermeasures. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs hints that Finns traveling to the U.S. should not count on help from the Finnish authorities. If a Finn gets into trouble and is caught at a U.S. border checkpoint, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only limited possibilities to help.
Organisations that have been serving as a platform for experts in Finland-U.S. relations, including science, art, business, tourism, social responsibility and food culture, are gradually cutting back their activities. The U.S.-Finland friendship society in Jyväskylä (SAM Jyväskylä), which has been operating since 1950, is closing its doors. According to SAM Executive Director Lena Grenat, the US's pace has led to dozens of resignations from the organisation's ranks.
Whenever there is a change of administration, there is an element of uncertainty before the pieces fall into place, Grenat says to Yle media.
The Trump administration's practices also worry the Finnish Sámi Youth Association, as they are scheduled to participate in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples in the United States in a few weeks.
Teija Kaartokallio, the chairwoman of the Finnish Sámi Youth Association, is concerned about how the association will be viewed by U.S. border authorities.
We are now in a situation where we are not sure whether it is safe to go there,
says Kaartokallio
Representatives from Sami organizations attend the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples every year. In addition to the Finnish Sámi Youth Association, representatives from the Sami Parliament also attend.
Although the community has shrunk and aged, thousands of Finns still live on the east coast of Florida. The community is particularly concentrated in Palm Beach County, in the neighboring towns of Lake Worth and Lantana. In total, it is estimated that there are up to 25,000 Finns living in Florida. Source: Nelli Lapintie / Ilta Sanomat
On the contrary, the Finnish community living in America supports Trump. He is called "the choice between two evils," and although Finns themselves are not allowed to vote, they consider themselves Republicans. Indeed, it has been suggested that Finns may lack sufficient understanding of events in the United States and around the world, and as a result, they should not criticize them either.
The Finnish mindset is not conducive to success on the international stage. It is such a small nation that it is pointless for them to come here and play in big arenas, says Kalle Harikko, a businessman by profession, now retired.
Kalle Harikko has spent his winters in Florida since 2001.His initial interest in the "southern boat" was due to Finnish tax policy, which he considers to be unfair. Harikko has travelled to 73 different countries in his life, which he believes has given him a better understanding of life.
To sum up, U.S.-Finland cooperation is turning against the Finns themselves. Non-military challenges are taking first. It has become clear that the challenges in trade and science and technology that the USA is posing are much more serious. Finland is not taking any action itself, and is waiting to see how the European Union reacts. It looks like they will have to wait a long time.
Ekaterina Serova
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