Cook Islands’ leading environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will speak out against the recent executive order from United States President Donald Trump aimed at fast-tracking seabed mining. Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) says the arrogance of U.S president Trump to think that he can break international law by authorising deep seabed mining in international waters is “astounding”, and an action of a “bully.”
Trump signed the Unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals and resources order late last month, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow permitting for deep sea mining. The order states, “It is the policy of the U.S to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development.”
