Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides for National Security

The White House

February 18, 2026

BOLSTERING NATIONAL SECURITY BY PRESERVING CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAINS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides — two critical inputs essential to military readiness and America’s agricultural strength, respectively.

• The Order finds that any interruption of supply of either of these critical materials could leave our defense industrial base and food supply vulnerable to hostile foreign actors.
• The Order delegates the President’s authority under the Defense Production Act to the Secretary of Agriculture to require the performance of contracts or orders related to these materials to promote the national defense, and to determine the proper allocation of materials, services, and facilities necessary to ensure a continued and adequate supply of these products. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to exercise that authority in consultation with the Secretary of War.

• The Order directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders and regulations as needed for implementation.
  COUNTERING THREATS TO AMERICA’S DEFENSE AND FOOD SECURITY: President Trump is acting to ensure domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, the loss of which would cripple critical supply chains.

• Elemental phosphorus is a key input in defense supply chains — crucial for smoke, illumination, and incendiary devices, semiconductors in radar, solar cells, sensors, and optoelectronics, and modern lithium-ion battery chemistries used in weapon system supply chains.

• Elemental phosphorus is also a critical precursor element for the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, which are the most widely used crop-protection tools in U.S. agriculture — enabling efficient food and livestock feed production that protects food supply chains and ensures the availability of healthy, affordable food options within reach for American families.

• With only one domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, and U.S. needs far exceeding current output, the threat of reduced or ceased production gravely endangers national security and defense, which includes food-supply security.

• The Administration continues to support research and investment into next-generation crop protection technologies, but ensuring a stable supply of existing critical inputs remains essential to safeguarding food security and national defense.
  ADVANCING AMERICA FIRST INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH: President Trump has consistently prioritized policies that secure domestic supply chains, protect national defense, and support American agriculture and families.

• In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order allowing the Defense Production Act to be used to expand domestic mineral production capacity.

• In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to revitalize America’s maritime industry to strengthen the nation’s economic and national security.

• In May 2025, President Trump leveraged the Defense Production Act to enhance domestic capability to manage spent nuclear fuel, as part of the Administration’s push to expedite and promote the production and operation of nuclear energy.

• President Trump has repeatedly used Section 232 tariffs to protect against threats to our national security and to strengthen manufacturing sectors critical for our national and economic security.

• President Trump has also secured billions of dollars in private-sector and foreign investments to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and strengthen America’s industrial base.