WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties on certain phosphate fertilizer imports, a move the administration says is intended to increase fertilizer supplies and lower costs for U.S. farmers.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the temporary suspension is expected to increase the availability of phosphate fertilizer, improve market competition and reduce one of the largest production expenses facing many agricultural operations.
USDA said its analysis estimates the action could lower phosphate fertilizer prices by about 22%, resulting in approximately $1.82 billion in annual savings for farmers. The department said more than 100,000 farms across approximately 97 million planted acres could benefit from the lower costs.
“As we have worked to implement America First fertilizer actions—from waiving the Jones Act to implementing more flexible Hours of Service waivers—we have focused on finding short-term solutions while delivering long-term stability for our nation’s farmers,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a statement.
Rollins said the department estimates the proclamation will reduce phosphate fertilizer prices by about 22% while providing roughly $1.82 billion in annual savings for agricultural producers.
The announcement is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address fertilizer affordability and domestic production, according to USDA.
The department said the administration has designated phosphate and potash as critical minerals, entered into a memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Department of Justice aimed at addressing alleged anti-competitive practices affecting agricultural inputs, accelerated domestic fertilizer manufacturing projects, and created a USDA agricultural economist position focused on fertilizer markets.
Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden said the temporary suspension is intended to provide additional fertilizer supplies ahead of the fall application season while the department continues to support expanded domestic fertilizer production.
“President Trump’s action today will provide immediate relief as well as a stable source of supply for American producers as they enter fall application season,” Vaden said in a statement.
USDA said fertilizer remains one of the largest operating expenses for many farmers. The department also said fertilizer prices reached historic highs during the previous administration and characterized the new proclamation as part of a broader strategy to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing, strengthen agricultural supply chains and improve access to fertilizer.
The temporary suspension applies to certain phosphate fertilizer imports. USDA has not announced how long the suspension will remain in effect.
