US Acts to Secure Critical Chemical Supplies
What happened
The U.S. government has issued new documentation aimed at ensuring an adequate domestic supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. These chemicals are deemed vital for industrial manufacturing, agriculture, and national defense. The action highlights a national security focus on chemical supply chains, with potential implications for manufacturers dependent on these materials.
Why it matters
- The action was taken via a February 18, 2026, Executive Order that invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950. This law grants federal authorities power to prioritize contracts and allocate materials deemed essential for national defense. - The order delegates authority to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to require prioritization of contracts and allocate materials and facilities to ensure adequate domestic production. - The U.S. is highly dependent on imports for these chemicals, with only a single domestic producer for both elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The country imports over 6 million kilograms (over 13 million pounds) of elemental phosphorus annually to meet demand. - Elemental phosphorus is a critical input for numerous defense applications, including smoke and illumination munitions, semiconductors for radar systems, optoelectronics, and advanced lithium-ion batteries used in weapons systems. - The administration noted there is no direct chemical alternative to glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture. A 2024 report projected that the loss of glyphosate could cause U.S. net farm income to drop by $2.9 billion. - This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly concerning China, which is a dominant global producer of elemental phosphorus. The Department of the Interior had previously designated phosphate as a critical mineral on November 7, 2025. - The sole domestic producer of glyphosate is Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto. The company stated it would comply with the order to continue producing both chemicals.
Key numbers
- - The action was taken via a February 18, 2026, Executive Order that invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950.
- The country imports over 6 million kilograms (over 13 million pounds) of elemental phosphorus annually to meet demand.
- A 2024 report projected that the loss of glyphosate could cause U.S.
- net farm income to drop by $2.9 billion.
What happens next
- A 2024 report projected that the loss of glyphosate could cause U.S.
Quick answers
What happened in US Acts to Secure Critical Chemical Supplies?
The U.S. government has issued new documentation aimed at ensuring an adequate domestic supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. These chemicals are deemed vital for industrial manufacturing, agriculture, and national defense. The action highlights a national security focus on chemical supply chains, with potential implications for manufacturers dependent on these materials.
Why does US Acts to Secure Critical Chemical Supplies matter?
The action was taken via a February 18, 2026, Executive Order that invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950. This law grants federal authorities power to prioritize contracts and allocate materials deemed essential for national defense. The order delegates authority to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to require prioritization of contracts and allocate materials and facilities to ensure adequate domestic production. The U.S. is highly dependent on imports for these chemicals, with only a single domestic producer for both elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The country imports over 6 million kilograms (over 13 million pounds) of elemental phosphorus annually to meet demand. Elemental phosphorus is a critical input for numerous defense applications, including smoke and illumination munitions, semiconductors for radar systems, optoelectronics, and advanced lithium-ion batteries used in weapons systems. The administration noted there is no direct chemical alternative to glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture. A 2024 report projected that the loss of glyphosate could cause U.S. net farm income to drop by $2.9 billion. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly concerning China, which is a dominant global producer of elemental phosphorus. The Department of the Interior had previously designated phosphate as a critical mineral on November 7, 2025. The sole domestic producer of glyphosate is Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto. The company stated it would comply with the order to continue producing both chemicals.
