Trump Administration Pushes Deep-Sea Mining to Secure Critical Minerals Against China

President Donald Trump has made critical minerals a central focus of his 2025 administration, aiming to secure U.S. access to vital resources by easing technology restrictions on China and aggressively promoting deep-sea mining. His April 2025 executive order fast-tracked U.S. seabed mining licenses, bypassing international norms and challenging the International Seabed Authority, as part of a strategic push to counter China's growing influence in the critical minerals sector. This shift has alarmed members of the U.S. national security community who fear it grants China a strategic advantage. While companies like The Metals Company have benefited from increased investor confidence, significant technological, environmental, and geopolitical challenges remain, including opposition from international bodies and uncertainties about the economic viability and demand for seabed minerals. Trump also leverages minerals in his trade negotiations, such as with Indonesia, to boost domestic mining and reduce U.S. dependency on imports for critical minerals essential for military and high-tech industries. Overall, the administration's approach reflects a blend of national security priorities and economic ambitions, though it faces deep international and technical hurdles.