Deep-Sea Mining Transformed by Trump Policies

Deep-sea mining underwent a seismic shift in 2025, propelled by the Trump administration and its drive to secure American access to critical minerals. The industry, previously stalled by regulatory uncertainty, saw a dramatic financial resurgence. The Metals Company experienced a tenfold stock increase, climbing from previous lows to $7.89 per share. This financial momentum is directly linked to political will to bypass international norms and scientific warnings. The administration has targeted vast oceanic territories, totaling over 104.5 million acres, for potential mining operations. These plans face fierce opposition from the international community, environmental scientists, and Indigenous leaders who warn of irreversible harm to marine ecosystems and cultural heritage. Despite these challenges, the administration's "America First" policy continues to accelerate the industry forward.

The financial landscape for deep-sea mining changed drastically in 2025. After years of volatility, The Metals Company saw its stock price soar. The company, which has invested millions in research and technology, went public in 2021 at $11.05 per share. However, regulatory debates caused the stock to plummet to a low of $0.55. By late 2025, the stock had recovered significantly, reaching $7.89.

This recovery is driven by the administration's aggressive stance on diversifying supply chains away from China. Currently, the U.S. relies heavily on Chinese imports for minerals essential to batteries and military technology. The administration views seabed mining as a strategic necessity. Despite the stock surge, the company remains unprofitable, with no revenue from mineral sales expected until at least late 2027 due to pending permits.

Company executives remain optimistic about the financial trajectory. Craig Shesky, the Chief Financial Officer of The Metals Company, highlighted the strategic importance of the current moment. He stated, "We see a path for this stock to continue to perform very well." He further emphasized the geopolitical stakes, noting, "We are sitting really in the eye of the storm when it comes to what the U.S. needs to do to diversify supply chains for these metals away from China."

The Trump administration has characterized its approach to deep-sea mining by an aggressive pursuit of goals with little regard for international law. In April, the administration asserted that the U.S. has the right to mine in international waters, effectively ignoring the ongoing United Nations process managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This move prompted global outrage and undermined years of diplomatic negotiations.

The scope of potential mining is massive. The administration is evaluating exploration and commercialization across more than 104.5 million acres of ocean floor. This area is comparable to the entire state of California. Key targets include:

• The Clarion-Clipperton Zone south of Hawaiʻi (over 36 million acres)
• National waters of the Cook Islands
• Areas near the Marianas Trench (35.5 million acres)
• Waters off American Samoa (33 million acres)

These regions are rich in manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel, minerals the U.S. designates as "critical" for consumer electronics and defense systems. The administration's eagerness to secure these resources has led to a willingness to override the concerns of scientists and Indigenous peoples alike.

While the industry argues that seabed mining is necessary to transition away from fossil fuels, scientists warn of severe environmental consequences. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to unique biodiversity, yet most life forms at these depths have not even been named or studied. Disturbing the seabed could release significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, potentially worsening climate change.

Recent research paints a grim picture of the potential impact. In March, UK researchers found that a seabed mining expedition from over four decades ago still had not fully recovered. Later in the year, studies in Hawaiʻi revealed that sediment from mining tests weakened the ocean food web by prompting plankton to ingest less nutritious particles. Another study in December found that the number of sea creatures on the ocean floor, such as worms and mollusks, fell by 37 percent just two months after a scraping event.

The Metals Company has funded much of this research but consistently pushes back against scientists' warnings. Despite the company's stance, the data suggests that "picking up golf balls at a driving range"—a comparison used by a company executive—vastly underestimates the ecological disruption involved.

Indigenous environmental advocates from Hawaiʻi, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands have spent years working within the ISA to assert their rights and protect the cultural importance of the ocean. They had been making progress in shaping proposed regulations, but the administration's unilateral actions threaten to derail these efforts.

Advocates express deep frustration and resolve. Solomon Kahoʻohalahala, a Native Hawaiian advocate from Lānaʻi, compared the current struggle to navigation. "As navigators of Oceania, we are often met with adverse conditions," he said. "The conditions that are presented to us may be adverse, but we understand how to navigate through them, around them, and redirect our sails."

In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), residents are also mobilizing. The administration has targeted a banana-shaped region east of the archipelago, spanning over 35 million acres bordering the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Sheila Babauta, an Indigenous Chamorro-Pohnpeian resident, voiced strong opposition: "I refuse to accept that the waters around us belong to the U.S. It is the Indigenous peoples of this l..."