The new US ambassador to New Zealand and several Pacific island nations, Jared Novelly, has stated that securing Cook Islands seabed minerals is a top priority. Novelly, who is also the US ambassador to the Cook Islands, Niue, and Samoa, made this statement during a press conference.

Critical Minerals

Novelly emphasized that critical minerals have become a rapidly growing priority for the US, particularly in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands’ waters contain deposits of polymetallic nodules, which are sought after for use in batteries and other technologies.

The US has made securing critical minerals a strategic priority as it seeks to reduce its reliance on China-dominated supply chains and support defense and clean-energy industries. In February, the Cook Islands and the US signed a non-binding framework on critical minerals research and supply-chain security, including deep-sea minerals in Cook Islands waters.

Warning to Pacific Countries

Novelly also warned Pacific countries to be cautious in their dealings with China, stating that China has made it clear that it wants to establish a base in the Pacific and expand its presence in the region. He emphasized the importance of understanding the potential risks of debt traps and the strings that may be attached to Chinese investments.

Novelly plans to spend time in the Cook Islands and introduce US companies that could help with the extraction of minerals. The Cook Islands government has allowed exploration but not commercial extraction of the minerals.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.