Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources, Executive Order 14285, April 24, 2025
Sets forth various policies to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development, including increased investments in the technologies to develop domestic capabilities for collecting and processing seabed mineral resources. Emphasizes efficiency in reviewing and approving permits for seabed mineral exploration and use, as well as the need to strengthen partnerships with industry to counter China's strong influence over seabed mineral resources.
From the Order:
Section 1. Background. The United States has a core national security and economic interest in maintaining leadership in deep sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources. The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control. Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources. These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals. The United States also controls seabed mineral resources in one of the largest ocean areas of the world. Our Nation can, through the exercise of existing authorities and by establishing international partnerships, access potentially vast resources in seabed polymetallic nodules; other subsea geologic structures; and coastal deposits containing strategic minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium, and rare earth elements, which are vital to our national security and economic prosperity.