President Trump signs executive order invoking Defense Production Act for elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides supply

President Trump signed an executive order on February 18, 2026. The order, issued from the White House, invokes the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order finds that elemental phosphorus is crucial to military readiness and national defense. It is a key input in smoke, illumination, and incendiary devices and a critical component for manufacturing semiconductors used in radar, solar cells, sensors, and optoelectronics. Elemental phosphorus is also important in modern lithium-ion battery chemistries used in weapon-system supply chains. Glyphosate-based herbicides play a critical role in maintaining America's agricultural advantage. There is no direct one-for-one chemical alternative to these herbicides. The United States has only a single domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, and this producer does not meet annual needs, resulting in imports of more than 6,000,000 kilograms of elemental phosphorus annually. The order delegates authority under the Act to the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of War, to determine priorities and allocation of materials, services, and facilities. The Secretary shall issue orders and adopt rules as necessary to implement the order. Any such actions must not place the corporate viability of any domestic producer at risk. The order confers immunity provided for in section 707 of the Act. Domestic producers are required to comply with the order in accordance with 7 C.F.R. part 789. The order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations, and publication costs shall be borne by the Department of Agriculture.