US Unilateral Seabed Mining Order

The Trump administration, in April 2025, issued an executive order to 'unleash America's offshore critical minerals,' aiming to authorize U.S. companies to mine seabed minerals in international waters. This move challenges the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which designates these areas as 'the Area' and their resources as the common heritage of mankind, managed by the International===International Seabed Authority. The United States, despite being a primary architect, is not a party to the Convention. The International===International Seabed Authority condemned the unilateral action, and countries like Canada, whose companies (e.g., The Metals Company) participate, could face legal repercussions. This event highlights a growing international dispute over access to critical minerals essential for modern technology.