United States President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to take executive action to authorize the stockpiling of metals extracted from the Pacific Ocean, according to a report by the Financial Times. The metals in question—nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese—are essential in the production of batteries and other high-demand technologies.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the effort is part of a broader strategy to secure critical mineral supplies and reduce dependency on Chinese exports. The move comes amid intensifying trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, with both countries recently imposing 125% tariffs on each other’s exports.

Trump's administration is said to be viewing undersea mining as a strategic necessity in light of the growing competition with China over technological and resource dominance. By increasing access to these oceanic resources, the U.S. aims to bolster its domestic supply chain for vital manufacturing sectors, especially in clean energy and defense applications.

The urgency surrounding these efforts has also revived speculation that the United States’ earlier interest in acquiring Greenland was partly driven by the island’s untapped mineral reserves. Observers have noted that access to such resources could be key to achieving long-term geopolitical and economic independence in critical material markets.

While the potential environmental implications of deep-sea mining remain a subject of global concern, the Trump administration appears focused on national security and economic competitiveness as driving forces behind the initiative. No formal announcement has been made, but insiders expect executive steps to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

This development marks another escalation in the U.S.–China trade conflict and signals the Trump administration’s intent to reposition American resource strategy for the challenges ahead. With both economic and environmental stakes rising, the plan is likely to fuel debate across political and international arenas.