President Donald Trump has signed an executive order using the Defense Production Act to boost domestic supplies of phosphorus and phosphate-based herbicides, a move aimed at strengthening critical agricultural inputs. Chuck Grassley says the action is important for both crop production and crop protection. “As farmers know, you’ve heard me so often mention, phosphorus is used as fertilizer for crops and as an important input in the production of glyphosate. I’m glad to see the Trump administration expanding domestic production of this critical mineral and ag input.” Grassley says the executive order also includes liability protections for key agricultural inputs and reflects what he calls a unified approach within the president’s cabinet to support farmers. He also addressed concerns about tariffs and input costs as farm bankruptcies rise and margins remain tight. “But the best thing the president can do is to get more markets overseas, particularly with China, particularly with soybeans, and then get the input costs of farmers down by taking tariffs off.” Grassley says reducing fertilizer tariffs and expanding export opportunities would provide meaningful relief for producers facing high costs and volatile commodity prices.
