The US Government is drafting an executive order to facilitate the stockpiling of minerals from the Pacific Ocean seabed, the Financial Times reported.
The move aims to reduce dependence on China for critical battery minerals and rare earth elements (REEs), said people with knowledge of the matter.
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Seabed nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese are seen as vital for various industries including battery production and defence.
The initiative is part of a broader US strategy to become self-sufficient in these essential minerals.
The Trump administration has been proactive, with efforts ranging from pushing Ukraine for a minerals deal to exploring domestic production increases.
Alexander Gray, former chief of staff to the US National Security Adviser, highlighted the importance of focusing on deep-sea mining. He said: “China increasingly views the deep seabed as a front line in economic and military competition with the US.”
A strategic reserve of polymetallic nodules could help the US compete with China’s control over REEs, as Beijing has recently placed restrictions on the export of these minerals.
The proposed stockpile would ensure the availability of large quantities of these minerals on US soil, particularly in the event of a conflict that might disrupt imports.
Key Republicans have supported the move, with last year’s defence budget bill mandating a feasibility study into the nodules’ potential for defence applications.
Despite the enthusiasm, the US has been noticeably absent from international seabed mining negotiations and has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The International Seabed Authority’s (ISA) recent talks did not result in approval for mining in international waters, with many countries advocating a moratorium due to environmental concerns and doubts about competing with China’s extensive mineral supply chain.
The Metals Company, through its US subsidiary, is seeking permits for seabed mining, bypassing the ISA’s authority, as the US is not a signatory to the relevant treaty.
