President Donald J. Trump declared a national emergency on June 29, 2026, authorizing the temporary duty-free importation of phosphate fertilizer from the Kingdom of Morocco, the White House announced. The proclamation, issued under Section 318 of the Tariff Act of 1930, aims to address critical disruptions in global fertilizer supply chains that threaten American agricultural production and food security.
The presidential proclamation outlines that fertilizers are an essential component of agriculture and food production, with corn, soybean, wheat, and other crop producers relying heavily on phosphate fertilizers to ensure strong yields. The White House cited that robust and reliable food production is critical to both the economic and national security of the United States.
According to the proclamation, global supply chains for phosphate fertilizer have been disrupted in recent months by conflicts in fertilizer-producing regions and trade actions taken by major fertilizer-producing countries. The United States’ largest foreign source of phosphate fertilizer has experienced supply chain disruption, placing additional pressure on the farm economy and domestic food production categories.
The White House noted that U.S. domestic production of phosphate fertilizer currently remains insufficient to support the nation’s agricultural food production after accounting for exports. While the federal government is working with the private sector to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing capacity, those efforts will take time to materially increase supply.
Producers in Morocco can supply phosphate fertilizers to the United States without disruption at this time, the proclamation stated, making the North African kingdom a critical partner in ensuring the stability of American agricultural supply chains. “It is imperative to immediately facilitate importation of phosphate fertilizers from the Kingdom of Morocco to mitigate the significant risk to the agricultural food production of the United States,” the document reads.
The emergency declaration invokes authority under Section 318 of the Tariff Act, allowing the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce to permit duty-free importation of phosphate fertilizer during the continuance of the emergency. The proclamation directs the two secretaries to consult with one another before exercising the delegated authority.
Morocco holds approximately 70 percent of the world’s known phosphate rock reserves and is a global leader in phosphate fertilizer production. The Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), Morocco’s state-owned phosphate company, is one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate-based fertilizers. The White House’s decision to designate Morocco as the primary source for emergency duty-free imports underscores the strategic importance of U.S.-Morocco economic ties.
This action is the latest in a series of trade and foreign policy measures by the Trump administration aimed at securing critical supply chains and reducing dependence on rival producers. By forging closer economic cooperation with Morocco, the United States seeks to diversify its sources of essential agricultural inputs while supporting American farmers during a challenging planting and growing season.
Sources: whitehouse.gov
