Lawmakers Urge Defense Department to Address National Security Ramifications of Chinese Seabed Mining Interests

Strategic Insights -

Rep. Rob Wittman and Rep. Elise Stefanik have written a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging the Defense Department to develop a plan to address the national security ramifications of the Chinese Communist Party's interest in seabed mining. The letter highlights the risks of China dominating the global supply chains for critical mineral resources, including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths. China's control of these resources is built on environmental and human rights violations, and the lawmakers warn that the United States cannot afford to allow China to capture and exploit seabed resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chinese Communist Party dominates 85-95% of the global supply chains for critical mineral resources, including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earths.
  • China's control of these resources is built on environmental and human rights violations, including attacks against grassroots leaders, water pollution, ecosystem destruction, and unsafe working conditions.
  • The CCP has characterized seabed mining as "a new frontier for international competition" and is tightening export controls on rare earths.
  • The lawmakers urge the Defense Department to evaluate and plan for seabed mining as a new vector of competition with China for resource superiority and security.
  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted five exploration licenses to China, covering 17% of the total area currently licensed by ISA.
  • China is pressuring ISA to accelerate its decision-making process to adopt regulations by 2025 or sooner.
  • The lawmakers request that the Defense Department provide a response to several questions regarding the national security impacts of deep-sea mining by December 18, 2023.

Statistics:

  • 85-95%: The percentage of the global supply chains for critical mineral resources dominated by the Chinese Communist Party.
  • 17%: The percentage of the total area currently licensed by the International Seabed Authority that has been granted to China.
  • 2025: The deadline by which the International Seabed Authority is expected to adopt regulations for seabed mining.
  • 2027: The year by which the National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Program aims to eliminate NDS dependence on critical minerals supplied by non-allied countries.
  • 31: The total number of deep-sea valuable metal exploration licenses granted by the International Seabed Authority.
  • 29: The number of lawmakers who signed the letter to Secretary Austin, including Reps. Mark Alford, Brian Babin, Pat Fallon, Brad Finstad, and others.

Sources:

  • Wittman.house.gov
  • Letter to Secretary Lloyd Austin, December 7, 2023
  • International Seabed Authority
  • National Defense Stockpile (NDS) Program
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of State