US may not set the rules but can still shape the future of deep-sea mining
Deep-sea mining is rapidly transitioning from theory to practice as nations and private actors race to access valuable minerals beneath the ocean floor, critical for technologies such as batteries, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics. While the United States is not currently setting the rules because it has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it still holds significant potential to shape the evolving governance framework.
This article examines the tools Washington can deploy to influence emerging ocean governance, from leveraging science diplomacy and funding cutting-edge marine research to forming strategic partnerships with allies in the Pacific and Atlantic, and utilizing economic incentives that promote responsible sourcing of seabed minerals. It also addresses the risks of a fragmented regulatory landscape, where uncoordinated mining efforts could lead to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical competition over the high seas.
James Borton, Senior Fellow at FPI, wrote in South China Morning Post on July 3, 2025, on the role of the United States in shaping the future of deep-sea mining.