The United States is eyeing the "big treasure" beneath the Pacific Ocean floor
Upon his arrival in the Pacific region, newly appointed U.S. ambassador Jared Nofri made his intentions clear — his top priority is to monitor the mineral resources beneath the Cook Islands.
Where exactly are the Cook Islands? They're a small territory in the South Pacific, maintaining a close relationship with New Zealand — akin to living together as partners. But beneath their waters lies a hidden treasure: one of the largest known cobalt deposits in the world. What is cobalt? It's essential for electric vehicle batteries and military aircraft components. In short, whoever controls cobalt gains a strategic advantage in both clean energy and defense industries.
The problem is that China currently accounts for nearly 70% of global cobalt production, making the U.S. nervous about being "strangled at the neck." That’s why Ambassador Nofri has designated the Cook Islands as a "top target," stating he will "spend substantial time there negotiating." He also warned islanders that cooperation with China carries risks, while American companies are more reliable. Though he added, “Ultimately, it’s your decision,” his tone clearly conveys: “You decide, but I’m offering strong goodwill.”
The Cook Islands aren’t naive either. In February this year, they signed a non-binding framework agreement with the U.S., exchanging polite gestures; yet a similar arrangement was inked with China just a year prior. Most importantly — regardless of who signs what, commercial mining hasn't been approved yet. The islanders haven't decided whether to dig into this underwater treasure. After all, no one can guarantee the environmental impact of deep-sea mining.
This U.S. move isn’t isolated. Last year, it signed mineral agreements with Australia, Japan, Central Asia, and Ukraine. The Quad security dialogue is also pushing supply chain diversification. On the surface, it’s about "supply chain security," but underneath, it’s clearly an effort to challenge China’s influence across the Pacific.
China sees through this clearly and directly called it a “exclusive bloc-building initiative.”
On the surface, this is a struggle over mineral resources, but essentially it’s a battle for global supply chain dominance. While the U.S. waves the banner of “de-risking,” its actions increasingly resemble “occupying ports” — from Ukraine to the Pacific, from allies to small island nations, signing agreements everywhere, all aimed at bypassing China. Yet the Cook Islands’ attitude is telling: frameworks can be signed, but mining can wait. This shows smaller nations are playing their own long game, not rushing to pick sides.
For island residents, mining the seabed means trading long-term ecological risks for short-term economic gain — until they can clearly weigh the costs and benefits, no signature will carry real weight. As for China, holding nearly 70% of global cobalt output is both an advantage and a target. True stability at the table comes not from market share alone, but from diversifying supply chains and enhancing technological value-added. And as for the U.S.? Loudly shouting “de-risking” doesn’t mean its hand is as strong as its words suggest!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869729950725131/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.