Trump invokes Defense Production Act for glyphosate and elemental phosphorus

President Trump signed an executive order on February 18, 2026 invoking the Defense Production Act to designate elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides as defense-critical materials, directing the Department of Agriculture to prioritize and expand domestic production of both chemicals. The order cited China's control of approximately 50 percent of global crop protection products and the US importing more than 6 million kilograms of elemental phosphorus annually with extremely limited domestic production. The DPA invocation granted domestic producers legal immunity from antitrust and liability claims under Section 707 of the act.