The United States is reportedly drafting an executive order to stockpile deep-sea minerals in a move to reduce dependence on China’s dominance in critical battery metals—a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from experts and triggered concerns over environmental and geopolitical consequences.
According to the Financial Times, the U.S. aims to secure metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese—vital for electric vehicle batteries, defense technologies, and energy infrastructure—by tapping into nodules found on the Pacific Ocean seabed. These potato-sized deposits, formed over millions of years under extreme pressure, also contain rare earth elements critical to modern industry.
But analysts say the initiative, driven by a desire for self-sufficiency, borders on desperation. Lü Xiang, a Chinese expert on U.S. affairs, labeled the approach “panicked,” citing immature mining technology, exorbitant costs, and major logistical hurdles.
“Rather than fostering cooperation, Washington’s aggressive strategy risks destabilizing global supply chains,” Lü warned, highlighting that China’s strength lies not just in resource access but in its highly integrated industrial and refining systems—advantages that cannot be easily replicated or replaced.
The U.S. has also reportedly pushed for mineral deals with Ukraine, floated the idea of seizing Greenland, and even eyed Canada in pursuit of its mineral ambitions—further stoking diplomatic unease.
Critics have also flagged serious environmental concerns. Deep-sea ecosystems remain largely unexplored, and mining activities could devastate fragile marine life, including corals, sea cucumbers, and rarely seen white octopuses. At the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting in Kingston, Jamaica this March, global delegates condemned reckless mining ambitions, warning of irreversible damage and poor regulatory oversight.
Opponents also question whether the U.S. can realistically match the efficiency and low costs of existing players like Indonesia or rival China’s vertically integrated mineral supply chain. Many fear the U.S.’s unilateral actions may backfire, fueling instability rather than delivering strategic autonomy.
Tian Yun, a Beijing-based economist, criticized the U.S. for discarding the very international rules it once championed. “By bypassing multilateral frameworks and acting purely out of self-interest, Washington risks eroding global trust and accelerating disorder in the international economic and political system,” Tian told the Global Times.
As the world navigates a transition to green energy and digital technologies, experts insist that global cooperation—not strategic hoarding—is the only sustainable path forward. The U.S. deep-sea mining plan, they warn, may sacrifice long-term stability for short-term geopolitical gain.
US Deep-Sea Metal Stockpile Plan Sparks Global Alarm: Experts Call Move “Panicked” and Risky
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