France has accused the United States of breaching international law following President Donald Trump’s recent order to expedite deep-sea mining beyond American territorial boundaries. Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s ambassador for the oceans, criticized the US for allegedly disregarding the principle of not claiming ownership of the high seas by planning to grant mining licenses in global waters. France’s stance underscores the escalating tensions surrounding deep-sea mining, a practice that has raised environmental concerns globally. The dispute highlights the growing competition among nations to exploit seabed resources, particularly valuable minerals found in deep-sea ecosystems. The US move has ignited debates over the regulation of deep-sea mining activities and the need for a comprehensive international framework to govern such practices. Critics argue that unregulated mining could have detrimental effects on marine biodiversity and ecosystems. As countries race to secure access to underwater resources, the need for sustainable and responsible deep-sea mining practices becomes increasingly urgent. France’s condemnation of the US’s actions reflects broader anxieties within the international community about the potential consequences of unchecked deep-sea mining. The clash between France and the US underscores the complex legal and environmental challenges associated with deep-sea mining and the pressing need for multilateral cooperation to address these issues effectively.