A new study suggests China could retaliate with sanctions against US companies if the United States moves forward with seabed mining operations perceived as violating international regulations. For years, the US has relied on economic restrictions as a foreign policy instrument, but China’s rising economic and technological power is enabling new avenues for response. Deep-sea mining could become a key area where this shift in power dynamics is tested. The study indicates that China, potentially in conjunction with other nations, may implement coordinated countermeasures. These measures could specifically target companies involved in the contested seabed mining activities. This potential response highlights growing international concerns regarding the environmental impact and legal frameworks surrounding deep-sea resource extraction, and a challenge to US influence.