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Trump Declares Emergency and Suspends Duties on Moroccan Phosphate for Up to Eight Months

The administration says the temporary duty relief is a short-term step to ease fertilizer shortages during a drive to boost U.S. production.

Scott Irlbeck looks at his wheat on this family's land in Tulia, Texas, on May 13, 2026.
A fertilising sprayer sprays corn fields outside New Madrid, Missouri, U.S., May 17, 2018. Picture taken May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, joined by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaks at a press conference at the Department of Justice on May 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Justice Department and Agriculture officials announced the opening of an antitrust investigation into the meat packing industry, including the four major U.S. beef meatpackers, JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef, over allegations of price-fixing and collusion. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 04: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, joined by members of the beef industry, speaks at a press conference at the Department of Justice on May 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Justice Department and Agriculture officials announced the opening of an antitrust investigation into the meat packing industry, including the four major U.S. beef meatpackers, JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef, over allegations of price-fixing and collusion. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Overview

  • President Trump declared an emergency on Monday, June 29, invoking Section 318 of the Tariff Act to let the Treasury and Commerce secretaries permit duty-free imports of phosphate fertilizer from Morocco for up to eight months.
  • The White House cited recent disruptions to global fertilizer supply chains, including conflict-linked cuts to Middle East output and Strait of Hormuz closures, as the reason urgent imports are needed.
  • The suspended measures cover anti-dumping and countervailing duties first imposed after a 2021 petition by The Mosaic Company that had generally added about 16–17% to Moroccan phosphate imports.
  • Farm groups welcomed the proclamation and a USDA-linked estimate reported by local outlets suggested lower phosphate costs could save farmers money this planting season while OCP of Morocco — a dominant global supplier — would face fewer barriers to U.S. sales.
  • Treasury and Commerce must implement the rule, consult Homeland Security, report actions to Congress, and their steps will be watched alongside a separate five-year review and pending legislation that could determine whether the change becomes permanent.