Beneath the world’s oceans lies a significant reserve of minerals that are crucial for national security, technology, and energy independence. China has recognized this potential and is making substantial efforts to control critical mineral resources. This situation presents a challenge for the United States, which must assert its leadership in seabed mining to prevent China’s dominance over global supply chains.
Currently, about 90% of the world’s rare earth minerals are processed in China. This gives the Chinese Communist Party considerable influence over industries that are essential to America’s future, including semiconductors and defense systems. As demand increases for data centers, advanced computing capabilities, and next-generation military technology, China’s control over these minerals becomes a more powerful geopolitical tool.
