Trump Order Accelerates Controversial Deep-Sea Mining

President Trump has signed an executive order to accelerate deep-sea mining in U.S. and international waters, targeting critical minerals essential for defense, technology, and clean energy and aiming to reduce reliance on countries like China. The order mandates expedited permitting under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and calls for mapping of priority mining zones, while encouraging partnerships with private industry such as Canadian firm The Metals Company. By bypassing the UN’s International Seabed Authority, the U.S. move departs from international norms and is expected to spark global controversy. Administration officials assert the initiative could create over 100,000 jobs and add $300 billion to the U.S. GDP over a decade. Environmental groups and ocean advocates warn of severe, lasting harm to marine ecosystems, citing unrecovered test sites and overlap with important fisheries. Critics argue the policy puts economic and geopolitical gains ahead of environmental protection and international cooperation.