Why are the Americans trying to step on Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic?

Question

Canada, Russia and the US are the main players in an arguement over shipping lanes in the Arctic. The US will never win a decision in the world court, so they're trying to say it's "International waters". Look at a map. If the US persists it will only hurt Canada's claim and help the Russians assert more authority in the region. Why would the US do this? Why not back Canada's claim so that at least Russia doesn't gain any ground? Where's the thought process here?

Answer 1

Money.

Anyone with half a brain will see that the ships using it would be sailing through Canadian territory.  

But then Bush does not even have half a brain...

Answer 2

The problem here is that Canada wants to control the waterways 100 miles offshore-about 5 times what is accepted internationally.

Answer 3

So whose  is it?  Do Canadians want to charge an entrance fee? No  I looked at it on Yahoo maps it took a while sorry.  I just did not want to say something stupid that might hurt our neighborhood relationship.  I say theres ice melting on the poles.  It looks like it cuts into Canada.  I though it was more of a strait on the coast?   You guys should wait till the next president comes around before you do something vicious.  Were all sorry about Bush.  We all will be somewhat relieve when he is gone.

Answer 4

It shows how little we know about what is really going on in the world. I watch the news frequently and have not heard about this, although it seems very plausible.

America as a hegemony has not really had to compete with other powers for a long time. I guess its just habit, the U.S may have to start humbling itself.

Answer 5

Because we have as much right to claim it as you do? You just said it yourself its international waters it does not belong to you either.

The definition of international waters "Oceans, seas, and waters outside of NATIONAL JURISDICTION"

The Mississippi flowing WITHIN the US boarder IS within our jurisdiction it ends where the boarder ends. Understand?

What you think just because your closer it should belong to you? So what should we give you Alaska as well?

Answer 6

Seems Canada is "winning" and there are quite a few other countries laying claim to those areas but at least the U.S. wasn't claiming them as their own so it's a little better than the others.