Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Unleashes America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources

4/24/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Historic Initiative: President Trump signed an Executive Order on April 24, 2025, aimed at restoring American dominance in offshore critical minerals and resources.
Domestic Capability Expansion: The Order directs rapid development of domestic exploration, characterization, collection, and processing of deep seabed minerals to build a robust supply for defense, infrastructure, and energy purposes.
Regulatory and Permitting Measures: Instructs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Interior to expedite exploration and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
Mapping and Data Collection: Directs a coordinated plan by the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Interior to map priority seabed areas to accelerate data collection and monitoring.
Strategic Partnerships and International Engagement: Emphasizes collaboration with allies and industry, including efforts to develop an international seabed benefit-sharing mechanism and counter China’s influence in the mineral resource space.
Defense and Supply Chain Enhancements: Commands the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to assess the feasibility of leveraging the National Defense Stockpile and revisit domestic processing capacities, supported by a strategy from the Strategic and Critical Minerals Board.
Complementary Initiatives: Builds on previous actions such as increasing American critical mineral production, initiating a Section 232 investigation on critical mineral imports, and advancing significant projects like the Ambler Access Project in Alaska.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order aims to enhance U.S. capabilities in offshore critical minerals, which could lead to increased competition in the global market for these resources. This may impact research and development priorities at Vanderbilt University, particularly in fields related to environmental science, engineering, and international relations.
There is a potential risk of environmental concerns arising from increased seabed mineral exploration and extraction. Vanderbilt’s environmental research programs may need to address these concerns and contribute to sustainable practices in this area.
The focus on countering China’s influence in seabed mineral resources could lead to geopolitical tensions, which may affect international collaborations and partnerships that Vanderbilt University is involved in.
The directive to expedite permits and licenses for seabed exploration and mining could lead to regulatory changes that may impact research funding and opportunities in related fields.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may see increased demand for expertise in mineral exploration technologies and sustainable extraction methods, presenting opportunities for research and collaboration with industry partners.
The College of Arts and Science, particularly departments focused on environmental science and policy, may need to engage in research addressing the environmental impacts of seabed mining and contribute to policy development.
Vanderbilt’s International Relations Program could play a role in analyzing the geopolitical implications of the U.S. strategy on seabed minerals and advising on international collaborations and partnerships.
The Office of Research may need to explore new funding opportunities related to critical minerals and seabed exploration, potentially leading to interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Financial Impact

The Executive Order could lead to increased federal funding for research in critical minerals and seabed exploration, providing new grant opportunities for Vanderbilt University.
Vanderbilt may need to invest in new research infrastructure and capabilities to support projects related to seabed mineral exploration and sustainable extraction technologies.
There may be opportunities for partnerships with industry and government agencies, potentially leading to increased funding and collaboration in areas related to critical minerals and resource management.
Changes in regulatory frameworks and international trade policies could impact the financial landscape for research and development in this field, necessitating strategic adjustments by the university.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks and opportunities, particularly in research and international collaboration.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore research opportunities in seabed mineral exploration and processing technologies. By developing expertise in this emerging field, the school can position itself as a leader in critical mineral innovation and contribute to national efforts in resource development.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with federal agencies such as the Department of Commerce and the Department of Energy to identify potential partnerships and funding opportunities related to seabed mineral exploration and processing. This proactive approach can help Vanderbilt secure resources and collaborations that align with national priorities.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Environmental Management Studies should assess the environmental impacts of seabed mineral exploration and develop strategies for sustainable practices. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence policy and industry standards, ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into resource development.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences should consider expanding its curriculum to include courses on seabed mineral resources and their geopolitical implications. This will prepare students for careers in this growing sector and enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation as a forward-thinking institution.
Vanderbilt’s Law School should analyze the legal frameworks governing seabed mineral exploration and resource rights. By offering expertise in this area, the law school can contribute to shaping policies and regulations that balance economic interests with environmental and social considerations.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to collaborate with industry and government on projects related to seabed mineral exploration and processing. By leveraging its research capabilities, Vanderbilt can play a key role in advancing technological innovations and securing funding for cutting-edge projects.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on critical minerals by developing interdisciplinary programs that integrate engineering, environmental science, and policy studies. This approach will attract students interested in addressing complex global challenges and enhance the university’s academic offerings.
The emphasis on international collaboration offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Global Education Office to establish partnerships with universities and research institutions worldwide. By fostering international exchanges and joint research initiatives, Vanderbilt can expand its global reach and influence in the field of critical minerals.
By engaging with policymakers and industry leaders, Vanderbilt can position itself as a thought leader in the national conversation on critical mineral resources. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of seabed mineral exploration can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative research and policy development.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to opportunities in research, collaboration, and curriculum development.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No explicit timelines or deadlines were mentioned in the directives, as the Order only prioritizes expediting processes and reporting requirements without specifying fixed compliance dates.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Commerce: Instructed to expedite the review and issuance of exploration and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, as well as to lead several reporting initiatives.
Department of Interior: Directed to establish a process for reviewing and approving permits and granting licenses under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and to coordinate on identifying critical minerals for defense, infrastructure, and energy purposes.
Department of Energy: Tasked with providing reports on domestic processing capabilities for seabed mineral resources, evaluating the feasibility of leveraging the National Defense Stockpile, and collaborating in broader strategic assessments.
Department of State: Required to participate in mapping priority areas of the seabed in conjunction with other agencies and to engage with international partners regarding seabed resource exploration.
Department of Defense: Called upon to contribute to reports regarding the feasibility of utilizing the National Defense Stockpile for nodule-derived minerals and in coordinating with other agencies in strategic mineral planning.
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation: The CEO is mandated to analyze and report on tools that support domestic and international seabed mineral resource activities.
Export-Import Bank of the U.S.: The President is required to ensure that the bank’s leadership provides insights into supporting seabed mineral exploration and related activities.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Directed to contribute to a report on supporting both domestic and international efforts in seabed mineral resource exploration, extraction, processing, and environmental monitoring.
Strategic and Critical Minerals Board: Tasked with the development of a strategy to ensure that the U.S. can effectively leverage its domestic processing and supply of seabed-derived critical minerals.

Relevance Score: 3 (A moderate number of government agencies are directly impacted by the directives outlined in the Executive Order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Commerce – Tasked with expediting permit reviews and issuing exploration and commercial recovery permits, as well as collaborating on reports regarding private sector interest and data-driven mapping of seabed priority areas.
Secretary of Interior – Responsible for establishing processes for reviewing and approving permits on the Outer Continental Shelf and coordinating identification of critical minerals for various national uses.
Secretary of Energy – Required to generate reports on domestic processing capabilities for seabed mineral resources and participate in evaluating the National Defense Stockpile’s feasibility for nodule-derived minerals.
Secretary of State – Involved in developing a plan to map priority areas for seabed exploration, reflecting the international dimension of the directive.
Secretary of Defense – Engaged in producing a report on the feasibility of leveraging the National Defense Stockpile for seabed-derived minerals.
Strategic and Critical Minerals Board – Directed to develop a strategy regarding domestic seabed mineral resources.
CEO of U.S. International Development Finance Corporation – Charged with providing a report to support domestic and international seabed mineral exploration.
President of Export-Import Bank of the U.S. – Also tasked with contributing to the report identifying strategic tools for seabed mineral resource efforts.
Director of U.S. Trade and Development Agency – Required to participate in the joint report addressing international seabed mineral resource exploration and extraction initiatives.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives target high-level Cabinet officials and agency heads with substantial responsibility and strategic influence.)