Full Breakdown
U.S. Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Amid China Influence
7/3/2026, 4:37:34 PM
Securing Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Takes Top Spot
On July 3 2026, U.S. ambassador Jared Novelly, accredited to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa, announced that extracting seabed minerals from the Cook Islands has become a focus of his diplomatic agenda. He said the issue moved from a peripheral briefing item to a top-priority concern within months.
Strategic Context: Critical Minerals and Pacific Competition
Washington has identified critical minerals—especially those needed for batteries and clean-energy technologies—as essential to reducing dependence on China-controlled supply chains and bolstering defense capabilities. The Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone holds polymetallic nodules, a deep-sea source of metals used in batteries and other technologies that align with U.S. strategic goals.
Key Figures: Jared Novelly and Regional Stakeholders
Novelly, a Missouri businessman and sports-team owner, is the inaugural U.S. ambassador to the Cook Islands. He said U.S. firms should help with extraction. China holds an exploration and research agreement with the Cook Islands and has expanded its Pacific presence via infrastructure, finance and security projects.
Agreements and Mineral Potential
In February 2026, the Cook Islands and the United States signed a non-binding framework on critical-minerals research and supply-chain security, referencing deep-sea mining in Cook Islands waters. The Cook Islands also signed an exploration agreement with China. The government permits scientific exploration but not commercial extraction.
Official U.S. Statements & Responses
Novelly said critical minerals now rank among his top priorities and warned Pacific nations to scrutinize Chinese initiatives for debt-trap risks. He urged greater defense spending by regional partners, expressed interest in lowering remittance costs, and sought a U.S. aircraft carrier visit to Auckland, subject to New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy.
Criticism & Opposition: New Zealand Public Sentiment
A June 2026 Asia New Zealand Foundation survey found New Zealanders view the United States as a greater threat than China for the first time in a decade. Novelly reported a “friendly camaraderie” with Kiwis, indicating a gap between public perception and diplomatic outreach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Fast forward to February, March of this year, critical minerals, and particularly in the Cooks, is either 1A or 1B of my priorities.” — Jared Novelly, U.S. Ambassador
- “China has made no bones about they want a base in the Pacific, they want an expanded presence there,” — Jared Novelly
- “It's important that you care as much about your defence as we care about your defence,” — Jared Novelly
Outlook: Future Engagements
Novelly’s agenda includes arranging visits by U.S. defense assets, facilitating partnerships between American mining firms and Cook Islands authorities, and pursuing initiatives to lower remittance fees. Ongoing dialogue with New Zealand and other Pacific partners will shape the next phase of mineral-security cooperation in the region.
