Part 6/9:
In response to global tensions and competition, Burgum announced that the U.S. is considering opening up deep-sea mining opportunities near American Samoa. This initiative aims to take advantage of available resources while ensuring the nation can maintain strategic independence amid growing concerns about reliance on foreign nations for critical minerals. Burgum characterized the move as essential for bolstering national security and economic competitiveness, especially in response to China’s stranglehold over key mineral supplies.
The Secretary emphasized that the United States has a wealth of resources locked under its territories, which can be sustainably mined while protecting marine ecosystems.