Trump's Deep-Sea Mining Executive Order Sparks Controversy and Legal Challenges

The order aims to accelerate mineral exploration crucial for tech and healthcare but faces backlash over environmental and legal concerns.

Former President Donald Trump has issued a contentious executive order intended to promote deep-sea mining both within US waters and internationally. This move has drawn sharp criticism from China, which argues that it contravenes international law. The order marks Trump's latest effort to bolster America's access to minerals vital for sectors including aerospace, green technology, and healthcare.

The deep sea hosts vast reserves of polymetallic nodules, rich in essential minerals such as cobalt and rare earth elements. The executive order, aimed at positioning the United States as a frontrunner in responsible seabed exploration, appears to sidestep ongoing UN discussions regarding mining regulations in international waters. Many nations, including China, have refrained from granting permits until a comprehensive framework for resource sharing is established.

"The US authorization... violates international law and harms the overall interests of the international community," stated Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry. With China holding a dominant position in the global rare earth and critical metals market, US analysts note that Trump has expressed frustration over America's relatively weak standing in this resource competition. "We want the US to get ahead of China in this resource space under the ocean," a US official remarked.

The administration projects that deep-sea mining could potentially add $300 billion to the US gross domestic product (GDP) over a decade while creating around 100,000 jobs. In contrast, the EU, UK, and other groups advocate for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until further scientific assessments are conducted.

Environmentalists express deep concern regarding the potential ecological damage to marine life due to the mining operations. "Deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean," cautioned Jeff Watters from Ocean Conservancy, emphasizing the widespread impact such activities could have on aquatic ecosystems.

While the timeline for initiating deep-sea mining remains uncertain, The Metals Company (TMC) is actively seeking permits from the US government. CEO Gerard Barron has indicated aspirations to commence mining operations by year-end. TMC and other industry representatives contest environmental claims, citing the abyssal zone's remarkably low biological activity.

A recent study from the Natural History Museum and National Oceanography Centre evaluated the long-term effects of deep-sea mining from a past experiment in the 1970s. Findings suggested that while some sediment-dwelling species managed to recolonize the site, larger marine animals did not return, likely due to the exhaustion of essential habitats formed by polymetallic nodules, which take millions of years to develop.