The Trump administration is reportedly drafting an executive order to authorize the establishment of strategic reserves for critical metals through deep-sea mining in the Pacific Ocean. This move aims to counter China’s dominance in rare earth supply chains and battery metals by accelerating approvals for undersea mining and developing domestic processing capabilities.
Sources reveal that the plan would safeguard essential materials, including rare earth elements, as a buffer against potential supply disruptions in the event of future U.S.-China conflicts. Leveraging emergency powers under the Defense Production Act, the administration has also been prioritizing resource independence through domestic mining expansions.
Currently, China accounts for 70% of global rare earth mining and controls approximately 90% of refining capacity. These materials are critical for defense, EVs, clean energy, and electronics industries. Amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, Beijing recently imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements, targeting America’s high-tech sectors reliant on these resources.
The proposed executive order focuses on combining expedited approvals for seabed mining with a centralized strategic reserve system. While signaling a U.S. push towards reducing dependence on China, analysts caution about ecological risks and the uncertain commercial viability of deep-sea mineral development.
The U.S. seeks to break its reliance on China’s rare earth supply through a deep-sea mining strategy—balancing national security and environmental concerns.
