President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate and phosphorus, citing national security concerns despite opposition from Make America Healthy Again supporters.

Executive Order Details

The order requires Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to implement regulations increasing the supply of both chemicals. Trump stated that ensuring robust domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides is central to American economic and national security. The White House emphasized that losing access to these chemicals would cripple critical supply chains and leave defense capabilities vulnerable to hostile foreign actors.

Currently, only one domestic producer manufactures elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides in the United States. Phosphorus serves as a precursor to glyphosate production and is essential for manufacturing certain military equipment. The administration argues that this limited domestic capacity creates dangerous dependencies on foreign suppliers.

MAHA Movement Opposition

The decision creates tension within Trump’s coalition, particularly with Make America Healthy Again advocates who view glyphosate as harmful to human health. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who previously won a nearly 290 million case against Roundup producer Monsanto, has moderated his position since joining the administration. He acknowledged that one million American farmers rely on glyphosate for their operations.

Industry and Legal Context

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto and produces Roundup weedkiller, recently proposed paying 7.25 billion dollars to settle lawsuits claiming the chemical causes cancer. Despite ongoing litigation, the company supports the executive order, stating it reinforces the critical need for farmers to access domestically produced crop protection tools. The chemical remains widely used throughout American agriculture despite continued controversy over potential health effects.