The United States has identified the Cook Islands’ vast reserves of critical seabed minerals as a strategic priority, with Washington also warning Pacific island nations to be cautious of China’s expanding influence across the region.
Speaking at his first press conference on Friday, the new US ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa, Jared Novelly, said critical minerals had quickly become one of his top priorities.
Cook Islands Minerals in US Spotlight
Novelly said the importance of securing critical minerals had risen sharply over the past year.
“When I was getting briefings in October, November last year, the critical minerals thing was kind of a lesser item,” he said.
“Fast forward to February, March of this year, critical minerals, and particularly in the Cooks, is either 1A or 1B of my priorities.”
The Cook Islands are believed to possess significant deposits of polymetallic nodules on the seabed, containing minerals used in batteries, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.
Washington has made securing critical mineral supply chains a strategic priority as it seeks to reduce reliance on China for resources essential to defence and clean energy industries.
US Wants to Expand Cooperation
Novelly, the first-ever US ambassador accredited to the Cook Islands, said he intends to spend time in the Pacific nation and introduce American companies capable of supporting future mineral extraction projects.
Earlier this year, the United States and the Cook Islands signed a non-binding agreement covering critical minerals research and supply chain cooperation.
The Cook Islands has also signed a separate exploration and research agreement with China.
Warning Over China’s Growing Influence
The ambassador also warned Pacific island countries about Beijing’s growing presence in the region.
“China has made no bones about they want a base in the Pacific, they want an expanded presence there,” Novelly said.
He cautioned governments to understand “what a debt trap is” and warned that financial assistance from China could come with “strings attached.”
China has significantly expanded its engagement across the Pacific in recent years through infrastructure projects, ports, airports, telecommunications, policing and development finance. Beijing says its cooperation with Pacific nations is based on mutual respect and shared development.
Call for Greater Defence Spending
Novelly also urged US partners in the region to increase defence spending, saying allies should contribute more towards their own security.
“It’s important that you care as much about your defence as we care about your defence,” he said.
He also expressed hope that New Zealand might one day allow a US aircraft carrier to visit Auckland Harbour, although he acknowledged that any change to Wellington’s long-standing nuclear-free policy would be a decision for the New Zealand government.
The remarks come amid intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China across the Pacific, where critical minerals, maritime security and regional influence have become increasingly important geopolitical issues.
(with inputs from Reuters)
