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The Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
Trump's Drive for Ocean Bed Mining Threatens Law of the Sea
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now World Trump's Drive for Ocean Bed Mining Threatens Law of the Sea Agence France-Presse 13 minutes ago US President Donald Trump's move to sidestep global regulations and begin pushing for seabed mining in international waters could pose a wider threat of competing countries claiming sovereignty over the ocean, experts say. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April to expand permitting for deep-sea mining in both domestic and international waters using an obscure 1980 US law. Photo: AFP Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now US President Donald Trump's move to sidestep global regulations and begin pushing for seabed mining in international waters could pose a wider threat of competing countries claiming sovereignty over the ocean, experts say. Trump last month signed an executive order to accelerate the permit-granting process for deep-sea mining in domestic and international waters, citing an obscure 1980 US law. And the Canadian deep-sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company has already filed an application in the United States to conduct commercial mining on the high seas – bypassing the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This is the body entrusted by a United Nations convention with managing the ocean floor outside of national jurisdictions. Ocean law is largely guided by that accord – the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), first signed in 1982 to prevent 'a competitive scramble for sovereign rights over the land underlying the world's seas and oceans,' according to Maltese diplomat Arvid Pardo, the convention's forebearer. The United States never ratified the convention, which took effect in 1994, though it has applied many of its clauses. Coalter Lathrop, an attorney at the US law firm Sovereign Geographic, told AFP that the United States is 'a huge beneficiary of the parallel set of customary international law rules' despite not being a party to UNCLOS. For instance, the United States has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) which gives states sovereignty over maritime areas up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from their coastline — protecting them from foreign fishing boats, among other extractive industries. If the US enjoys the benefits of ocean law, Lathrop argues, 'but then you disregard the other part of the package deal – that the seabed and its minerals in areas beyond national jurisdiction are the common heritage of humankind – that is going to be destabilising, to say the least, for the general legal order of the oceans.' 'US unilateral permitting could lead to the disintegration of a system that has been carefully curated and created by the United States, largely for its own benefit,' he added. 'Unraveled' The US and Canadian moves sparked an international outcry from ISA member states, including China, whose foreign ministry spokesman warned it violates international law. ISA secretary general Leticia Carvalho expressed similar concern, saying that 'any unilateral action… sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the entire system of global ocean governance.' The Metals Company does maintain contracts with ISA members like Japan – where it has a partnership with smelting company Pamco. And experts note such ISA member states could invoke their obligation to UNCLOS to enforce maritime law on The Metals Company via these proxies, even if it ultimately receives a permit from the Trump administration. Guy Standing, an economist at the University of London, told AFP: 'It's the most dangerous thing he's done so far,' referring to Trump. If marine laws 'were to come sort of unraveled,' Standing said, 'you could have a carve up in different parts of the world, with Russia, China and America carving up the Arctic.' However, not all scholars in the field are in agreement. James Kraska, a professor of international maritime law at US Naval War College, said 'it's naive to think the United States has that kind of influence.' 'I just disagree with the people that are saying that it's somehow a legal obligation to comply with a treaty that you never joined,' he told AFP. 'I just can't see any way that it's unlawful. I understand that there's sort of political opposition to it, but I would just distinguish between politics and the law.' 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Local Norway
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Norway 'in solidarity' with Greenland and Denmark after US threats
Trump has repeatedly said the US needs the strategically located, resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons, and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it. "You can be fully certain that we stand by you and by Denmark in solidarity," Store told Greenland's prime minister at a meeting of Nordic prime ministers in Turku, Finland. "We will say this message everywhere, if it's asked in Washington or Brussels or Beijing or everywhere else," he said. "The Arctic is a regulated area. The Law of the Sea applies, the responsibility of coastal states applies, and we will stand by any community that is feeling pressure on those values," Store said. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have insisted that the autonomous territory, where a majority are in favour of independence in the long term, must decide its own future, and have repeatedly said Washington "will never get Greenland". Trump's threats to take over the island have sparked jitters in other parts of the far north, including in Iceland and Norway's Svalbard archipelago. In addition to Trump, Beijing and Moscow have also become increasingly active in the Arctic as climate change opens up sea routes. Advertisement "Iceland is just below Greenland. We are a small country," Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said. "It's very important for us that there's a strong message from this region that international law is abided by, and that might makes right doesn't become the rule of law," she said.
NHK
04-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan, Sri Lanka agree to deepen cooperation of defense forces
Japan and Sri Lanka have agreed to deepen cooperation between their country's defense forces with focus on a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen is on a tour of Sri Lanka and India until Tuesday. On Sunday in Sri Lanka, Nakatani met the country's Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara. Nakatani said Japan and Sri Lanka are maritime nations sharing fundamental values on the rule of law and democracy. He also said further strengthening their partnerships is essential for the region's prosperity. Steps in strengthening the partnerships will include a seminar by Japanese experts on the Law of the Sea. Japan will also invite the Sri Lankan military to disaster prevention drills held by the Self-Defense Forces. Nakatani pointed out the importance of realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific by keeping in mind that China is bolstering its influence on Sri Lanka by helping construct major ports. Nakatani and Jayasekara agreed to deepen cooperation between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and Sri Lanka's military. Nakatani also met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya the same day. They confirmed that the two countries will deepen security cooperation to promote regional stability and prosperity.
Saba Yemen
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Euro-Mediterranean calls for independent investigation into attack on Gaza-bound ship Al-Dameer
Gaza - (Saba): The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor confirmed that the targeting of the aid ship Al-Dameer, bound for the Gaza Strip, by drones in international waters, 17 nautical miles off the coast of Malta, is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, the Law of the Sea, and the Rome Statute, which prohibits the targeting of humanitarian objects. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stated that "the attack falls within a recurring and documented pattern of the use of force to prevent ships from reaching Gaza, even before they approach its shores." It called for an independent and transparent investigation under Maltese jurisdiction and with UN participation, stressing the need to hold accountable all those who planned, ordered, or participated in this attack. It also called for immediate guarantees for safe maritime passage for humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stated that any failure to act today will only encourage further attacks on humanitarian missions and deepen the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. It emphasized that neutrality in the face of this crime does not absolve one of responsibility, but rather perpetuates impunity. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
South China Morning Post
09-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Australia's drone donation boosts Philippines' maritime needs amid South China Sea tensions
Australia's donation of 20 state-of-the-art drones to the Philippines has highlighted Manila's pressing need to enhance its maritime domain awareness, just days after a tense encounter in the South China Sea , where Philippine and Chinese coastguard vessels nearly collided. Advertisement At a ceremony on Tuesday in Bataan, west of Luzon, Hae Kyong Yu, Canberra's ambassador to Manila, said the donation of unmanned aerial systems worth 34 million Philippine pesos (US$592,000) reflects Australia' s commitment to civil maritime cooperation with the Philippines. Other ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives include vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, and annual Law of the Sea courses. 'I am pleased to deliver this package of state-of-the-art drones. It is a tangible example of our increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines and a contribution that supports the Philippine coastguard's modernisation efforts,' Yu said. Australia would also be providing four days of drone operator training to 30 members of the Philippine coastguard, Yu added Advertisement Analysts say the drones offer continuous, real-time surveillance over vast areas in the West Philippine Sea – Manila's term for the South China Sea it considers within its exclusive economic zone – where Beijing's territorial claims overlap with Manila's.
