Trump Suspends Phosphate Fertilizer Duties to Aid U.S. Farmers

Donald Trump signed a proclamation on June 30, 2026, temporarily suspending countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia. The emergency measure, effective for eight months, aims to lower input costs for U.S. farmers following supply chain disruptions caused by conflicts in fertilizer-producing regions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the suspension will reduce phosphate fertilizer prices by approximately 22%, resulting in annual savings between $1.82 billion and $2 billion for over 100,000 farms. These duties had been in place since 2021 after domestic producers, including Mosaic and J.R. Simplot, alleged market injury. The suspension provides immediate relief for the fall application season while the administration works to expand domestic manufacturing capacity.

Alongside the proclamation, Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services, and Environmental Protection Agency to scale regenerative agriculture. This initiative seeks to rebuild soil health and improve farm profitability. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins criticized the previous administration for allowing fertilizer prices to hit record highs, while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the efforts to link agricultural support with national health.