Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order on April 24, 2025, to expedite deep-sea mining in international waters, bypassing the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
• France, leading a coalition of 32 countries, has accused the U.S. of violating international law and called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until its environmental impacts are better understood.
• Environmental groups and scientists warn that deep-sea mining could cause irreversible damage to fragile marine ecosystems, citing long-term harm observed at a 1979 mining site in the Pacific Ocean.
• The U.S. government, which has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, argues that the move is essential for securing critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies.
• China and other nations have criticized the U.S. decision, stating it undermines global cooperation and threatens marine biodiversity.