Pompeo says to discuss security, Russia, China presence in Iceland visit

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo listens to Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson in Reykjavik, Iceland February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Geirix

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in NATO ally Iceland's capital Reykjavik on Friday and said he would be discussing security relations as well as China and Russia's growing presence in the Arctic.

Pompeo's visit comes amid increased interest in the Arctic, which has big reserves of oil, gas, gold, diamonds, zinc and iron. And with global warming melting polar ice, it may offer world powers new shipping routes - and naval interests - for trade between Asia, Europe and America’s east coast.