U.N. Law of the Sea Treaty Splits Senate as China Seeks to Control Valuable Deep Sea Minerals
-
The U.N. Law of the Sea treaty divides the international seabed to regulate deep sea mining. The U.S. can't participate since the Senate hasn't ratified the treaty.
-
Vast quantities of valuable minerals like cobalt and manganese are scattered across the ocean floor and are essential for electronics and defense systems.
-
China has the most deep sea mining exploration sites and aims to dominate seabed mining as they control minerals on land.
-
The treaty guarantees freedom of navigation that the U.S. Navy relies on. China challenges these laws in the South China Sea.
-
Opposition in the Senate remains strong despite support from past presidents, the military, and business leaders. Critics see it as threatening American sovereignty.