U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, calling them essential to national security and food supply stability.
The order directs federal agencies to prioritize and expand U.S.-based manufacturing capacity for both materials. Glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides in American agriculture, plays a critical role in crop protection, while elemental phosphorus is a key precursor in its production and is also used in certain military applications.
In the executive order, Trump stated that strengthening domestic mining and manufacturing of these inputs is “central to American economic and national security.” A White House fact sheet emphasized that the United States currently relies on a single domestic producer for elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, making supply chains vulnerable to foreign disruptions.
Glyphosate has long been a subject of legal and scientific debate over alleged links to cancer. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto and manufactures the glyphosate-based product Roundup, has faced thousands of lawsuits. The company recently proposed a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve claims that glyphosate exposure caused cancer, though it maintains that the product is safe when used as directed.
The move comes despite earlier criticism of glyphosate from segments of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously secured a major legal verdict against Monsanto on behalf of a plaintiff alleging cancer from Roundup use, has moderated his stance in recent months. During a congressional hearing last year, Kennedy acknowledged that nearly one million American farmers depend on glyphosate and cautioned against actions that could harm agricultural livelihoods.
Under the executive order, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is tasked with issuing regulations and directives to ensure increased production and supply. Industry representatives welcomed the decision, arguing that domestic manufacturing capacity is vital for crop protection and long-term food security.
The administration framed the action as a strategic measure to prevent supply disruptions that could impact both the defense industrial base and agricultural productivity. By leveraging the Defense Production Act, the White House aims to secure critical inputs deemed essential to sustaining U.S. farming operations and military readiness.
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