President Donald Trump just temporarily suspended the countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer from the Kingdom of Morocco, providing relief to farm families reliant on this important nutrient. The original justification for the duties was, in part, to support and protect domestic production. Yet, since the duties were imposed, the U.S. has seen reduced domestic phosphate production capacity and idled domestic production facilities.
Domestic production remains important, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing its part to prioritize domestic investment, but these Biden-era duties have not resulted in more domestic supply.
This reality made lifting the duties a matter of pragmatism. American farmers should not be forced to rely on a more concentrated supply chain when a stable and reliable alternative exists. If domestic production capacity has declined, then maintaining restrictions on additional sources of supply risks increasing price volatility, reducing market flexibility, and harming America’s larger rural economy.
The issue also extends beyond economics. Fertilizer is a matter of national security.
A nation that cannot reliably feed itself is susceptible to threats. Throughout history, countries have learned that agricultural production is a strategic asset, every bit as important as energy production or manufacturing capacity. The United States has long enjoyed one of the most productive agricultural systems in the world, but that productivity depends on access to critical inputs, including fertilizer.
Phosphate is particularly important because there is no substitute for phosphorus in plant growth. Nitrogen can be manufactured from natural gas, and potassium is sourced from various deposits around the world, but phosphorus is a finite resource concentrated in a relatively small number of countries. Ensuring access to diverse and reliable phosphate supplies is therefore a strategic imperative.
Trump rightfully recognizes that maintaining these duties would unnecessarily constrain imports from a trusted ally and run counter to the goal of strengthening supply chain resilience. The lesson of recent years is clear: dependence on limited sources of critical inputs creates weaknesses. Thus, the answer is not to reduce supply options but to expand them — because diversification is resilience. In the meantime, USDA and its partners will continue to invest in increasing our own domestic production capacity and increasing the number of companies competing for farmers’ business.
The Kingdom of Morocco has proven to be a dependable partner in global fertilizer markets. Greater access to Moroccan phosphate provides American farmers with an additional, stable source of supply and reduces the risk of future shortages or price spikes. The Kingdom of Morocco is also one of our nation’s oldest allies. From a strategic standpoint, this is simply prudent policy.
TRUMP IS RIGHT TO THREATEN TARIFFS OVER EUROPEAN DIGITAL TAX EXTORTION
Agriculture is simultaneously a pillar of our national strength and one of the most uncertain businesses. Producers contend with weather, labor shortages, fluctuating commodity prices, rising interest rates, and changing export markets. Fertilizer is one of the largest annual input costs farmers face. Every unnecessary increase in fertilizer prices places additional strain on family farms and reduces their ability to invest in equipment, conservation practices, and the next generation of agricultural production.
A resilient food system requires abundant and affordable agricultural inputs. It requires policies that prioritize the interests of farmers, ranchers, rural communities, consumers, and domestic manufacturers. And it requires the willingness to adapt when circumstances change. This action is just another example of Trump doing right by the American farmer.
Stephen Alexander Vaden serves as the 16th Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.