US Deep-Sea Mining Plan Violates International Law, Says China

China has raised concerns over a U.S. push to approve deep-sea mining in both domestic and international waters, claiming it violates international law.

The warning came from Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Friday, following a White House order aimed at ramping up permits for deep-sea mining activities.

“The US authorisation… violates international law and harms the overall interests of the international community,” Guo said.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expediting the review and issuance of seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

This move comes as private companies and governments have long eyed the mineral and metal resources on the ocean floor, though many have held off on extraction while waiting for the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to establish rules—a process that began in the 1990s.

The United States has not ratified the agreements that empower the ISA and is not a member of the UN-affiliated body.

Trump’s order aims to position the U.S. as a global leader in seabed exploration while countering China’s increasing influence over seabed mineral resources.

Beijing, which has refrained from mining in international waters due to the lack of ISA rules, warned that the U.S. move underscores its unilateral and hegemonic approach.