Trump Administration Plans Executive Order for Stockpiling Critical Metals from Pacific Seabed

By Subrat Patnaik

Apr 12, 2025 (Bloomberg) – US President Donald Trump’s administration is considering an executive order to allow the stockpiling of critical metals from the Pacific seabed, as reported by the Financial Times.

Trump has already utilized emergency powers to enhance the US’s capacity to produce critical minerals, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign imports, particularly from China.

There is a concerted effort to expedite deep-sea mining applications under US law, with the potential stockpiling of metals, including rare earth minerals, forming a crucial part of this initiative. This move would provide the US with access to a repository of critical minerals within its own borders, ensuring availability in the event of a conflict with China.

China currently dominates the global supply of rare earth minerals, accounting for nearly 70% of production, according to the US Geological Survey. In response to escalating trade tensions, Beijing has announced plans to tighten controls on exports of certain rare earth elements.

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