U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to promote the domestic mining of elemental phosphorus and the U.S.-based production of glyphosate-based herbicides. The order states that these materials are critical to both national defense and food security.
In the executive order, President Trump noted that ensuring robust domestic elemental phosphorus mining and United States-based production of glyphosate-based herbicides is central to American economic and national security. The order further states that without immediate federal action, the United States would remain inadequately equipped and vulnerable in key supply chains.
A White House fact sheet accompanying the order indicates that the measure was signed to ensure domestic production capacity for elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, the loss of which could disrupt critical supply chains. The fact sheet also notes that there is currently only one domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides in the United States. According to the document, insufficient supply of either chemical could leave the U.S. defense industrial base and food supply exposed to risks associated with hostile foreign actors.
Elemental phosphorus serves as a precursor in the production of glyphosate and is also used in the manufacturing of certain military equipment. The executive order directs Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to issue the necessary orders and regulations to facilitate increased supply of both phosphorus and glyphosate.
Glyphosate has long been widely used in U.S. agriculture and has been the subject of public and legal debate regarding alleged links to cancer. Bayer, manufacturer of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, recently proposed a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits alleging that the product causes cancer.
The policy discussion surrounding glyphosate has also intersected with political developments. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously secured a nearly $290 million verdict in litigation against Monsanto on behalf of a plaintiff alleging cancer linked to Roundup, has in more recent statements acknowledged the reliance of U.S. farmers on glyphosate-based products. During a hearing last year, he stated that regulatory actions should avoid putting farmers out of business, noting that approximately one million farmers depend on glyphosate.
Implementation details of the executive order are expected to be clarified through subsequent regulatory measures issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
