TMC Stock Retail Traders' Hopes Swell After CEO Highlights US Deep-Sea Mining Deal With Japan

• On Monday, CEO Gerard Barron said the US-Japan deal shows seabed resources are front and center to secure the critical mineral supply
• Barron to present a commercial case for deep-sea mining on Thursday at a hearing held by the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment.
• Stocktwits sentiment for TMC shifted to ‘bullish’ from ‘bearish’ over recent months

The Metals Company, Inc. drew heightened retail attention late Monday after its Chief Executive Officer said that the recent deal between the U.S. and Japan to advance research into commercially viable deep-sea mining underscores the importance of seabed resources in securing critical mineral supply.

The deep-sea minerals company focuses on collecting polymetallic nodules from the seafloor to produce battery metals.

In a Monday post on X, the CEO said  “The agreement between the U.S. and Japan to accelerate R&D into commercially viable deep-sea mining shows that seabed resources are front and center of this Administration's strategy to securing critical mineral supply. It's also an area we know well, as the first and only company to have demonstrated commercial viability through SEC-compliant mineral reserves.”

Last week, the U.S. and Japan agreed on an action plan to create options beyond China for critical minerals and rare earths supply chains, and included Japanese investment of up to $73 billion in US energy projects.

The action plan said that correcting vulnerabilities “resulting from pervasive non-market policies and practices have left critical minerals supply chains of market-oriented economies vulnerable to a myriad of disruptions, including economic coercion” is imperative.

The countries had earlier signed a deal in October 2025 on nuclear power reactors and rare earths to secure a critical metals supply chain.

Trump’s Push To Secure Rare-Earth Supply Chain

In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed orders to execute the development of seabed minerals, to ensure secure supply chains for the country’s defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors. The President ordered the Secretary of Commerce to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits.

Hearing to Present Commercial Case for Deep Sea Mining

On Thursday, TMC’s Barron will present the commercial case for deep-sea mining at a hearing held by the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Environment, which has jurisdiction over all matters relating to environmental research. The hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m EDT on Thursday, will also have Saildrone Vice President for Ocean Mapping Brian Connon and Ocean Exploration Trust Chief Executive Officer Robert D. Ballard as witnesses.

Last year, at the hearing, Congressman Scott Franklin, who is also the Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee, said that the health of the economy is directly connected to the strength of the country’s waterways and ports. Franklin added that making sure critical infrastructure is protected is key, as “bad actors” like China and Russia will seek to undermine America.

What Has TMC Has Pulled Off So Far?

Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that the company’s application for an exploration license and permit to explore polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean was in “substantial compliance” with the conditions and regulations of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The nodules contain concentrations of the base metals needed to make batteries and energy-transition infrastructure.

What Retail Thinks About TMC

Stocktwits sentiment on TMC has shifted to 'bullish' — from 'bearish' three months ago — even as the stock sits roughly 18% lower year-to-date. Engagement on the platform has surged: TMC follower count has jumped 81% over the past year.

“This is extremely bullish. The issue is most people expect immediate results, but this kind of agreement is a long game. In my view, it puts serious pressure on the ISA and marks the beginning of allied nations coordinating and trading critical minerals and rare earth elements at a strategic level with DSM. TMC is the star of the game and they all know it,’ one user wrote.

https://stocktwits.com/Figgy1million/message/648353686

“This completely slipped my mind until @Figgy1million mentioned the Japan connection but did we all forget that in the last ER Gerard mentioned that they would run a test nodule collection off Minamotori Island & it would be PAID in January 27'!? We're a hell of a lot closer than we think, thats 9 months out from first rev. All eyes on the hidden gem come Friday I think. Man this is exciting. I really think this is the rerate week,” said another.

https://stocktwits.com/gorden09/message/648346378

On Wall Street, the consensus is firmly bullish: 4 out of 5analysts covering TMC rate it 'Strong Buy,' with an average price target of $11.2, according to Koyfin.

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.