US Starts Seabed Mineral Talks With the Cook Islands

America and the Cook Islands will jointly research seabed minerals as Washington moves to counter China’s growing influence in the remote Pacific nation.

The research vessel MV Anuanua Moana, which is exploring efforts for industrial deep-sea mining, at a port in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, on June, 11, 2025. William West/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. government has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development.

The people of the Cook Islands, a self-governing country, are historically and culturally aligned with New Zealand and possess New Zealand passports.