Trump Invokes DPA for Glyphosate Production as China Makes 50% of Crop Protection Products
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 11
Trump Invokes DPA for Glyphosate Production as China Makes 50% of Crop Protection Products
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 11
Trump ordered domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides and elemental phosphorus under the Defense Production Act, classifying both as essential to national security and food-supply resilience.
USDA data cited in the order showed China produces 50% of crop protection products, raising the risk that a disruption or cutoff could hit U.S. farm output, food safety and prices.
Glyphosate remains the most widely used herbicide in U.S. row crops, supporting weed control across hundreds of millions of acres and helping sustain yields in corn, soybeans, cotton and canola.
The move also aims to reduce exposure to external chokepoints such as fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and to keep industrial capacity, jobs and regulatory oversight in the United States.
Is boosting production of a chemical linked to cancer a necessary price to pay for America's food security?
Beyond securing chemicals, what is the long-term plan to build a truly resilient American food system?
Will onshoring critical herbicide production ultimately shield consumers from price shocks or lead to more expensive groceries?
Invoking the Defense Production Act: Trump’s 2026 Push for Domestic Glyphosate and Phosphorus Amid Legal and Public Backlash
Overview
On February 18, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost the domestic supply of critical chemicals, especially elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. This move aimed to strengthen national defense and food security by reducing U.S. reliance on foreign sources, particularly China, which dominates the global glyphosate market. The order directed companies like Monsanto to increase production, highlighting vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain. The decision sparked strong reactions, with industry support, public health concerns, and legal debates about the balance between agricultural productivity, public safety, and federal authority.