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.
Western nations are increasingly wrestling with China’s influence after Beijing recently signed defense, trade, and financial deals with the small Pacific country.
“The United States of America and the Cook Islands are proud U.S.-linked firms sit at the forefront of deep seabed mineral research and exploration in the Cook Islands, which reflects strong and shared U.S.-Cook Islands seabed minerals interests,” the U.S. State Department said in a joint statement with the government of the Cook Islands on Aug. 5….
US Starts Seabed Mineral Talks With the Cook Islands
