Maine can be a strategic gateway to the Arctic and Europe

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 1, 2025

Maine stands at the front line of a new frontier. Its ports are the closest U.S. gateway to Europe and the Arctic. Its economy depends on Canadian trade. And its universities are pioneering research that could define blue-economy innovation. Maine isn’t just a coastal state anymore, it’s a strategic state. Canada accounts for nearly 40% of Maine’s exports and supports over 5,000 jobs through Canadian-owned businesses. Maine’s geography provides an unmatched advantage: the Port of Portland is the closest deep-water U.S. port to Greenland and Iceland. Maine has an opportunity to become a hub of discovery and innovation. ~ Tyler Lissy, graduate student, UMaine School of Policy and International Affairs