Thoughts on the Recent US Executive Order on Deep Sea Mining: Risky Bluff or Deliberate Violation?

Abstract Can the United States choose to ignore the international deep seabed regime laid down in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea due to its status as a non-State Party? And what is the possible impact of its actions on the current legal order? Focusing on its conduct since the adoption of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act in 1980, this article aims to evaluate the legality of the US Executive Order of 24 April 2025 (‘Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources’) from the perspective of international law. It also provides readers with a general outlook and critical opinion on the potential next steps.