On April 6, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13914 (the “Order”). In the Order, President Trump declares that “Americans should have the right to engage in commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law.” President Trump further declared that “it shall be the policy of the United States to encourage international support for the public and private recovery and use of resources in outer space.”

Among other things, the Order requires the Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies, to take all appropriate actions to encourage international support for the recovery and use of resources in outer space. The Secretary is required to, no later than 189 days after the date of the Order, to report to the President regarding activities carried out in furtherance of encouraging international support for recovery and use of such resources. A copy of the Order can be accessed HERE.