On April 24, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to bolster the United States leadership in deep sea science and technology and seabed mineral development that will contribute to our national security and economic interests.
Specifically, the EO aims to establish the U.S. as a global leader in responsible seabed mineral exploration and development by doing the following:
- Strengthening national security:
- The U.S. faces unprecedented challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control.
- This EO prioritizes U.S. leadership in seabed mineral exploration, ensuring reliable access to critical minerals like nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. By reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, it bolsters national security and safeguards defense supply chains.
- Boosting economic growth:
- The ocean — both within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and in areas beyond any national jurisdiction — contain critical minerals that are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
- The Order accelerates domestic capabilities for seabed mineral exploration and processing, fostering job creation and reindustrialization. A robust supply chain for critical minerals will drive economic prosperity and support industries like manufacturing and clean energy.
- Enhancing energy independence:
- By tapping into vast offshore resources, the U.S. can secure energy-critical minerals, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. This strengthens America’s energy future and supports the transition to sustainable technologies.
- The Order directs the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Secretaries of Energy and Defense, to indicate which critical minerals are essential for applications including, but not limited to, defense, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
- The Secretaries of Defense and Energy will develop a report on the feasibility and potential benefits of using the National Defense Stockpile for storing seabed minerals, and they will review and revise programs to support domestic processing capabilities and offtake agreements for those materials.
- The Secretary of Energy will also establish a Critical Materials Review Board to help oversee and improve the coordination of programs that provide grants, loans and other financial mechanisms that will help develop processing capabilities for domestic seabed and terrestrial materials, as well as offtake agreements or other supply chain expansion efforts.
- The Order directs the Strategic and Critical Materials Board of Directors to consider seabed mineral resource development in any strategy to ensure a secure supply of materials designated as critical to national security under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Act.
- Streamlined permitting for efficiency:
- The U.S. will support investments in deep sea science, mapping and characterization efforts by helping streamline the permitting process through NOAA while maintaining environmental and transparency standards.
- The U.S. government, in cooperation with commercial and other non-governmental organizations, will develop a plan to map priority areas of the seabed to accelerate data collection and characterization. Areas within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf will be prioritized.
- The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA).
- The expedited processing of licenses, permits, and leases under DSHMRA and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) will ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies.
- Global leadership in responsible development:
- The U.S. will set the standard for responsible seabed mining practices and should be seen as the partner of choice for allies interested in developing seabed minerals responsibly. We welcome partnerships with allies to counter China’s influence and promote sustainable resource development worldwide.
- China has been growing its influence over seabed mineral resources, and the U.S. needs to bolster its leadership in this space in order to counteract Chinese efforts.
- Through scientific collaboration and commercial development opportunities for U.S. companies, the Order directs the Secretaries of Commerce, State and the Interior to offer support for seabed mineral resource exploration, extraction, processing and environmental monitoring to key partners and allies in their own areas of national jurisdiction.
- The Order also directs Secretaries to develop a report on the feasibility of an international benefit sharing mechanism for seabed mineral resource development in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
- Investment in innovation:
- Increased support for deep sea science, mapping and technology will position the U.S. as a pioneer in seabed mineral extraction, fostering cutting-edge advancements and long-term economic benefits.
- Increased support for deep sea science, mapping and technology will position the U.S. as a pioneer in seabed mineral extraction, fostering cutting-edge advancements and long-term economic benefits.
- Strategic partnerships:
- Through existing law and international partnerships, the U.S. can access vast resources of polymetallic nodules and other coastal deposits that contain strategic minerals, such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium and rare earth elements.
- By collaborating with allies and industry, the U.S. will support seabed mineral development in partner nations’ Exclusive Economic Zones, enhancing global supply chain security and economic ties.
- Critical infrastructure support:
- Access to seabed minerals and new processing capabilities will strengthen infrastructure and military preparedness, ensuring the U.S. has the materials needed for advanced technologies and defense applications.
- This Order will help reinvigorate the development of processing technologies and capabilities for seabed mineral resources, particularly polymetallic nodules, which is critical for realizing the full benefits of extracting these resources.
- Support for American companies:
- The Order creates opportunities for U.S. firms to lead in exploration, extraction and processing, ensuring they are well-positioned to compete in the global market and drive domestic growth.
- To ensure private sector development, the Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop a report on private sector interest and opportunities for seabed mineral resource exploration, extraction and environmental monitoring in domestic waters, areas beyond national jurisdiction and in areas under the jurisdiction of countries that are interested in partnering with U.S. companies.
- The report will also detail private sector interest and opportunities for developing processing capabilities in the U.S. (or on U.S. flagged vessels).
- Environmental responsibility:
- The Order emphasizes responsible development, balancing economic goals with environmental stewardship to protect marine ecosystems while unlocking vital resources.
Additional resources
NOAA news release issued April 25, 2025
Executive Order, April 24, 2025: Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources
