South Lake Today

Washington, D.C. - A group of 31 House Republicans, led by Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, has written a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the development of a plan to counter the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) increasing involvement in seabed mining of critical mineral resources. The members expressed concern about the CCP's dominance in global supply chains and processing capacity for these minerals, which are essential for U.S. weapons systems.

"We cannot afford to cede another critical mineral resource to China," the members wrote in the letter. "The United States, and specifically, the Department of Defense, should be engaging with allies, partners, and industry to ensure that China does not seize unfettered control of deep-sea assets."

The CCP currently controls 85 to 95 percent of the global supply chains for most critical mineral resources and holds the majority of the world's processing capacity for these minerals. This summer, Beijing announced additional restrictions on the exportation of gallium and germanium products, metals crucial for the development of chips, satellite communications, spacecraft power generation, and radar systems. With China producing 60% of the world's germanium and 80% of its gallium, the reliance on Chinese supply poses a significant threat to U.S. interests and national security.

To counter China's dominance, the members of Congress are calling on the Department of Defense to take action and develop a plan to enhance the extraction of deep-sea mineral resources. Currently, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates deep-sea mining, but the United States only holds observer status in the institution. The concern is that China's strong presence in deep-sea mining could eventually lead to its complete control over the industry.

The letter was signed by Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), James Moylan (R-GU), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Maria Elvira Salizar (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), David Rouzer (R-NC), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Rich McCormick, MD (R-GA), Keith Self (R-TX), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Brian Babin (R-TX), and Ronny L. Jackson (R-TX).

The letter highlights the urgency for the United States to take action and protect its interests in critical mineral resources. The growing control of the Chinese Communist Party over these resources poses a significant threat to national security. It is imperative for the Department of Defense to develop a plan that strengthens U.S. presence in the extraction of deep-sea mineral resources before China's dominance becomes uncontrollable.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

To find out more, go to this link: https://webster.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E45AB27F-D8F9-4261-8DDC-2E9519C73C12