A underwater mining gold rush in the Pacific Ocean is creating divisions across Pacific nations. Geopolitical tensions are rising as the United States and China seek control of deep-sea minerals in the region. The U.S. is moving toward its first major seabed minerals lease sale off the Northern Mariana Islands.
Advocates are urging Australia to join a $41 trillion fight playing out in its backyard. The push for ocean minerals generates fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific. These events strain the future of Pacific unity as major nations compete.