Trump signs executive order to expand deep-sea mining for rare earth minerals

President Trump’s new executive order aims to boost deep-sea mining operations for rare earth minerals in U.S. and international waters, despite environmental concerns.

US President Donald Trump steps off Marine One upon arriving at the Leesburg Executive Airport Landing Zone in Leesburg, Virginia, on April 24, 2025. Photo by Alex Wroblewski/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

President Donald Trump has taken a bold step to expand the United States' involvement in the emerging field of deep-sea mining, signing an executive order on Thursday aimed at boosting the extraction of rare earth minerals from both domestic and international waters. The new initiative, which could see U.S. operations mine over a billion metric tons of mineral-rich deep-sea nodules, has raised significant concerns from environmental groups and global regulators.

The deep-sea mining effort is poised to provide the U.S. with vast economic opportunities, potentially pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the national economy. However, the move to disturb ocean floor ecosystems in search of minerals like cobalt and nickel has sparked criticism from environmental advocates who warn of the potential ecological consequences. Furthermore, the decision challenges the controls set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a global body established to regulate seabed mining in international waters.

Trump's deep-sea mining order: A bid for global competitiveness

While deep-sea mining remains in its early stages, the Trump administration views the initiative as a critical step in securing the U.S.’s access to rare earth minerals, which are essential for high-tech industries, defense capabilities, and energy production. The global demand for these minerals is soaring, and with China currently dominating the market, the U.S. is eager to expand its mining operations and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers.

The executive order gives the U.S. Secretary of Commerce 60 days to expedite the process of reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits for areas beyond national jurisdiction. This move is seen as an attempt to boost domestic capacity in the rare earth minerals sector, helping the U.S. better compete with China for seabed resources.

The U.S. has long been excluded from the International Seabed Authority, which has been responsible for developing regulations for seabed mining since the 1990s. Instead of adhering to the ISA’s framework, the Trump administration is relying on a lesser-known 1980 U.S. law that empowers the federal government to issue seabed mining permits in international waters. This decision has ignited debate over the country’s stance on global environmental governance and the protection of ocean ecosystems.

Environmental concerns and global regulatory challenges

Environmental groups have voiced strong opposition to the executive order, emphasizing the potential ecological damage caused by deep-sea mining. Critics argue that disrupting the delicate balance of deep-sea ecosystems could lead to irreversible harm to marine life and biodiversity. Emily Jeffers, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, condemned the move, stating, "Fast-tracking deep-sea mining is an environmental disaster in the making."

Jeffers continued, warning that the Trump administration's push to open up one of Earth's most fragile ecosystems to industrial exploitation could have far-reaching consequences for global ocean health. Despite these concerns, the White House maintains that the expanded mining operations are necessary to counter China's growing influence over seabed resources and to support American industries.

The International Seabed Authority, which has yet to respond to requests for comment, is currently working to establish a rulebook for deep-sea mining that balances economic interests with the need for environmental protections. As the industry progresses, the ISA faces increasing pressure to regulate the extraction of seabed resources and prevent irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems.

The U.S. move: Disrupting global norms to secure rare earth resources

The executive order also comes amid growing tensions in the global mining industry, as countries and corporations vie for access to rare earth mineral deposits found deep beneath the ocean floor. The U.S. is now following the lead of companies like Impossible Metals, which has circumvented the ISA’s regulations by seeking approval to mine within U.S. jurisdiction. Impossible Metals has applied to the U.S. government for permission to begin operations in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the U.S. territory of American Samoa, sidestepping international waters.

A key resource in the deep-sea mining race are polymetallic nodules, small potato-sized pebbles found at depths of 13,000 to 20,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 meters) that contain valuable minerals such as manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel. These nodules are vital for the production of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, and defense technologies.

The Trump administration’s plan could lead to the retrieval of more than a billion metric tons of seabed material, according to a senior administration official. This initiative is expected to create up to 100,000 jobs and generate approximately $300 billion in domestic GDP over the next decade. The economic potential of deep-sea mining has attracted the attention of various stakeholders, including private companies and government officials.

Industry support and the push for U.S. leadership in seabed resources

Some industry leaders are applauding the U.S. government’s decision to expand deep-sea mining operations. Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company, a Canadian-based company involved in deep-sea mining, praised the Trump administration's approach, which bypasses the ISA’s regulatory framework. Barron expressed his belief that the executive order reasserts America’s leadership in securing critical seabed resources, ensuring that the U.S. remains competitive in a field increasingly dominated by China.

By focusing on domestic regulatory measures and expanding its mining operations in international waters, the U.S. hopes to secure a steady supply of rare earth minerals for its defense, manufacturing, and energy sectors. However, as the race for seabed resources intensifies, it remains to be seen how the global community will respond to the U.S. decision to defy international norms in pursuit of economic and geopolitical gain.

As the deep-sea mining industry develops and global demand for rare earth minerals continues to rise, environmental and regulatory challenges will persist. The debate over the environmental impacts of seabed mining is likely to continue as the U.S. moves forward with its plan, potentially reshaping the future of ocean resource extraction and international environmental governance.