New Executive Order Supports Deep Sea Critical Minerals Development

Highlights

• President Donald Trump on April 24, 2025, issued an executive order, "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources" (EO), that aims to promote the development of offshore critical minerals in the oceans adjacent to the U.S., as well as collaboration and partnership with allies for the development of deep sea mineral resources located in foreign waters.
• The EO calls on agencies to use existing authorities to access and develop potential deposits of subsea strategic minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium and rare earth elements, which are necessary for a variety of high-technology uses, including electronics, computer technology, emerging energy and defense.