US Plans to Mine Rare Earth Minerals in Deep Sea Amid China's Export Restrictions

The recent announcement by China to implement export controls on seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth elements has sent shockwaves through the US industry, sparking fears of a potential shortage of these critical materials. The US has been largely absent from international negotiations on deep-sea mining and has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Experts warn that the Trump team's plan to stockpile Pacific Ocean floor metals may be an attempt to control the region's exploitable resources, but the conditions for deep-sea mining are not yet mature. Even if the US were to successfully extract these metals, it would still need to rely on China's processing capabilities, as China controls 90% of the world's rare earth refining technology.

The US military is heavily reliant on rare earth elements, with 87% of its supply chain dependent on Chinese processing. The F-35 fighter jet, for example, requires approximately 417 kilograms of rare earth materials per plane. The US Department of Defense has stated that a single F-35 fighter jet requires 900 pounds of rare earth elements, while a Virginia-class nuclear submarine requires 9,200 pounds. The Trump administration's plan to bypass the International Seabed Authority and authorize US companies to mine the Pacific Ocean floor has been met with opposition from over 40 countries, including China, Russia, and France.

The international community has expressed strong disapproval of the United States' plan to extract rare earth minerals from the deep sea, citing concerns that the move would violate international law and regulations. China, as a major player in rare earth technology, has consistently advocated for green mining and international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem. The country has implemented export controls on seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth related products, which has sparked panic in the US industry. The US plan to extract rare earth minerals from the deep sea has been widely criticized for its potential to cause irreversible ecological disasters, including the destruction of deep-sea hot spring ecosystems and the release of toxic metals into the food chain.

The US government's plan to extract rare earth minerals from the deep sea is widely seen as a response to China's restrictions on rare earth exports, which have been imposed in recent months. However, experts warn that the move could have far-reaching consequences for the global environment and the international community, and that it is essential to ensure that any such activities are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. Ultimately, the US's actions may lead to its weaknesses in resource strategy becoming more apparent, while China's advantage in the rare earth domain is likely to become even more solidified. The US's unilateral action has been met with strong opposition from the international community, including China, Russia, and France, and it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration's plan will be successful in reshaping the global supply chain.