Trump’s Seabed Mining Initiative Faces Global Backlash

President Donald Trump‘s proposal to develop seabed mining in the United States aims to secure vital minerals needed for various industries while reducing reliance on China. This initiative has drawn significant criticism from international organizations and environmental advocates who argue that it undermines established regulations surrounding seabed activities.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), established in 1982 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is tasked with protecting the marine environment from the impacts of mining. As of 2024, the ISA has 170 members, including 169 states and the European Union. Notably, the United States is not a signatory to the UNCLOS treaty, which complicates its mining ambitions.

In recent years, the ISA has faced pressure to create regulations governing mineral extraction from the seabed. Countries have raised concerns about the need for a moratorium on such activities, prompting discussions on how to manage these resources responsibly. For instance, Norway recently attempted to explore deep-sea mining but faced backlash from its Socialist Left Party, leading to the suspension of initial licensing plans over environmental worries.

Despite the opposition, President Trump remains steadfast. In April 2024, he signed an executive order titled “Unleash America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources.” The order emphasizes the need for the United States to accelerate the development of seabed mineral resources, enhancing domestic supply chains for defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors.

Following this executive order, The Metals Company (TMC) submitted applications to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for exploration licenses and a commercial recovery permit in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, an area governed by the ISA. This move has raised alarms, as this zone is recognized for its ecological significance and is under strict international oversight.

In response to Trump’s plans, Leticia Reis de Carvalho, Secretary-General of the ISA, expressed concerns regarding the implications of the executive order on international law. She stated that the order raises issues of compliance with UNCLOS, emphasizing that “no state may claim, acquire, or exercise sovereignty or sovereign rights over any part of the area or its mineral resources.”

International organizations and environmental groups have rallied against the proposed mining operations. Concerns have also emerged among TMC’s international partners regarding the legality of its mining initiatives. Critics argue that seabed mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction constitutes a breach of international law and threatens the concept of “the common heritage of mankind.”

This week, ISA delegates convened at their headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, to discuss the ramifications of Trump’s mining plans. The council, composed of 36 elected member states, passed a resolution calling for an investigation into “noncompliance” by its signatories. Matthew Gianni, co-founder of the Deep-Sea Conservation Coalition, remarked that TMC has been testing the limits of acceptable behavior and warned that it may face consequences for its actions.

As discussions continue, the path forward for Trump’s seabed mining initiative remains uncertain. The ISA and its member states have made their position clear, opposing U.S. plans to initiate mining operations before international regulations are in place. They assert that such actions could lead to irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.

The international community is watching closely as the situation develops, highlighting the ongoing tension between national interests and global environmental stewardship.