In opening the door to deep-sea mining, the United States is bypassing the United Nations body entrusted with managing the ocean floor. The UN warns of a ‘dangerous precedent’. Meanwhile, a Swiss company is at the centre of the diplomatic storm. For some it is an Eldorado, for others a sanctuary that must be protected: the ocean floor and its mineral deposits are at the heart of geopolitical tensions. In early June, the international community gathered at a United Nations conference on the ocean in Nice, France, to discuss major marine challenges. In April, US President Donald Trump signed a controversial executive order promoting deep-sea mining in US and international waters. The goal is to collect a billion tonnes’ worth of minerals over ten years – resources that are deemed crucial for the energy transition, digitalisation and weaponry. “Any unilateral decision sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the entire system of global ocean governance,” warned Leticia Reis ...
