US President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to designate glyphosate herbicides and elemental phosphorus as critical defense materials, ordering Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to prioritize and stabilize domestic supplies, according to foreign media reports.
National Security Implications
Progressive Farmer reports that Trump’s executive order declares: “Phosphorus and glyphosate products are not only vital to agriculture but also relevant to military preparedness; a shortage of either would leave the United States vulnerable.” The order provides legal exemptions for domestic producers complying with federal directives and authorizes the USDA to guide production and manage distribution as necessary.
Market Concentration
CNBC reports that the United States has only one domestic elemental phosphorus producer and one glyphosate herbicide manufacturer. In the phosphate sector, Mosaic states it accounts for 74% of North America’s “concentrated phosphate crop nutrient” production. According to Farm Action data, Mosaic and Nutrien collectively control over 90% of phosphate fertilizer sales to US farmers.
Bayer (Monsanto) stands as the sole domestic glyphosate supplier in the United States. Wall Street Journal reported last year that Bayer’s US facilities produce approximately 40% of global glyphosate supply.
Industry Response
Reuters reports that Bayer stated: “The US President’s executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to secure US glyphosate supplies underscores American farmers’ demand for this herbicide and will not lead to supply shortages in other countries.”
The designation reflects growing US government concerns over supply chain security for agricultural inputs deemed essential to both food production and national defense preparedness.
