Trump’s Administration Could Drive Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining is anticipated to gain momentum as both US Congress and members of Donald Trump’s cabinet advocate for the United States to begin extracting critical minerals from the ocean floor.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed a defense funding bill directing the Ministry of Defense to assess the feasibility of processing deep-sea minerals domestically. This initiative aligns with Trump’s key cabinet appointments: incoming US ambassador to the UN Elise Stefanik, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and White House General Counsel William McGinley, all proponents of ocean mining. Notably, Stefanik has championed greater US engagement in deep-sea mining, particularly to counter China’s growing dominance in the critical minerals supply chain.

While Trump has broadly endorsed mining to secure domestic resources, he has yet to directly address deep-sea mining. Duncan Wood, President, Pacific Council, sees this as a pivotal moment for the US to advance in deep-sea mining, driven by growing recognition of the strategic importance of critical minerals and the rising tide of economic nationalism.

Deep-Sea Mining

Despite its potential, deep-sea mining remains highly contentious. Proponents emphasize its capacity to provide essential resources like cobalt, nickel, and copper, crucial for the energy transition, advanced technologies, and defense systems. However, critics, including environmental organizations and nations such as Canada, France, and the UK, warn of the ecological harm it could cause to marine ecosystems. 

In 2025, the Metals Company (TMC) plans to submit its inaugural application to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN body overseeing seabed resource regulation. TMC seeks to expedite the ISA’s completion of a regulatory framework, though challenges persist regarding unresolved issues such as royalties and environmental safeguards.