(Ecofin Agency) - The world’s seabed holds mineral resources valued at $100 trillion. Interest in these critical minerals—cobalt, nickel, and rare earths—has surged recently, yet exploitation remains limited.

On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to fast-track seabed mining permits in US waters. Though focused on national territory, the move could ignite a global scramble for seabed minerals.

Already, US companies, like Impossible Metals and The Metals Company, have started seeking licenses to mine the deep seabed. The order directs the federal government to speed up permit approvals, estimating the industry could add $300 billion to US GDP over ten years and create 100,000 jobs.

The order also calls for exploring mining opportunities beyond national jurisdictions but offers no details on how the US plans to pursue this extraterritorial ambition.

The deep seas hold vast mineral wealth, but commercial mining remains stalled internationally. Countries await a global regulatory framework from the International Seabed Authority (ISA), established in 1994 to oversee "responsible" mining of these common heritage resources. However, negotiations have dragged on for years amid persistent state disagreements.

Tech giants like Google and environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) demand a moratorium on seabed mining, warning of severe risks to ocean biodiversity. The Biden administration aligned with the G7 in 2022, insisting mining should only proceed if it does not cause "serious environmental damage."

By speeding up mining permits in its waters and eyeing operations beyond national borders, the U.S. breaks from this cautious stance. Washington’s move could prompt other nations, especially in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, to jumpstart their mining efforts, reviving global competition for strategic deep-sea minerals without waiting for a multilateral deal.

This American shift may force a quick clarification of international positions. The ISA could face pressure to speed up consensus-building to avoid being sidelined. Alternatively, the US example might fragment approaches, with each nation pursuing seabed mining based on its own priorities.

This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum