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On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump issued the Executive Order “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources”, signaling a major shift in U.S. policy toward deep-sea resource exploitation
1. Key Policy Directions
The order outlines five core objectives: (i) accelerating licensing procedures for offshore and high seas mineral exploration; (ii) developing domestic supply chains for critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and rare earths; (iii) investing in deep-sea scientific research and technological innovation; (iv) promoting resource cooperation with allies; and (v) countering China’s global influence. Notably, the order encourages private companies (e.g., The Metals Company, Impossible Metals) to pursue seabed mining both within and beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, relying on domestic legal frameworks rather than international agreements.
2. International Reactions
China and several other nations swiftly criticized the executive order, citing violations of international law and potential harm to marine ecosystems. On April 25, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the order as “a breach of international law and a threat to the common interests of the global community.” The International Seabed Authority (ISA) also warned that the U.S.'s unilateral move could undermine the international regulatory regime and set a dangerous precedent for unregulated deep-sea mining.
3. Geopolitical and Legal Implications
The order reflects U.S’s growing assertiveness in the emerging geopolitical contest for deep-sea strategic minerals. It represents a bid to challenge China’s supply chain dominance, counter Russia’s influence in the Arctic, and reinforce U.S. presence in the Pacific. However, by bypassing the ISA framework, the U.S. risks destabilizing the fragile legal and security architecture governing the ocean commons. Unilateral exploitation could lead to uncontrolled resource extraction, escalating disputes, and irreversible damage to fragile deep-sea environments still largely unprotected under current international law.
Translated by HCDH
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