The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) has issued a warning regarding the potential threats posed by closer economic ties between the United States and Pacific Island Countries, as the U.S. seeks greater control over access to essential minerals for its military and strategic interests. The concern was highlighted during the recent “Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit” held in Hawai’i, where senior officials and leaders from Pacific Island nations, including Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, convened to explore investment opportunities in critical minerals and address regional supply chains.
The summit comes on the heels of the Cook Islands-United States Framework for Securing Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, which has raised significant concerns among civil society groups in the Pacific. PANG contends that this framework paves the way for deep-sea mining in the region, providing the U.S. with a direct pathway to promote this controversial industry in Cook Islands waters.
Adam Wolfenden, Deputy Coordinator of PANG, expressed his alarm, stating, “The agreement has effectively invited the U.S into the domestic processes that the Cook Islands is undertaking to determine whether or not a dangerous and untested industry like deep-sea mining should happen in Cook Island waters.” He further indicated that this partnership aligns the Cook Islands with U.S. military and geopolitical ambitions in a competitive context against China.
Local concerns have surged among residents of the Cook Islands regarding the implications of this agreement on deep-sea mining endeavors. Environmental activist Alanna Smith from Te Ipukarea Society pointed out that the alignment suggests a shift in governmental stance from questioning the possibility of deep-sea mining to determining how it will be implemented, all while public debates about environmental implications continue.
The agreement establishes a ‘working group’ tasked with identifying potential areas for deep-sea mineral exploration and streamlining permitting processes to attract investors. However, critics warn that this emphasis on “predictable and efficient permitting” could prioritize investor interests over the significant environmental and human costs associated with deep-sea mining.
Though the agreement is characterized as non-binding, it is important to note that former President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of imposing trade restrictions if commitments are not upheld after 180 days. Wolfenden cautions that, despite its non-binding nature, the U.S. has made it clear that it retains the ability to pressure nations to fulfill their obligations, which underscores the unequal dynamics present in these agreements.
He concluded by advising Pacific Island leaders to remain vigilant against U.S. overtures and recognize that these developments could solidify an imbalance of power, placing U.S. interests ahead of those of the Pacific nations. As positive engagement leads to economic opportunity, the careful evaluation of environmental and social impacts remains paramount for the present and future of Pacific Island communities.
Leave a comment