Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares an Emergency and Authorizes the Temporary Suspension of Certain Duties on Phosphate Fertilizer from Morocco

This policy rollout centers on a Presidential Proclamation signed on June 29, 2026, which uses emergency powers to lower costs for American farmers by suspending duties on Moroccan fertilizer.This move is a critical piece of the administration’s broader "America First" agricultural and economic agenda. Here is a breakdown of the strategic goals and policy context:The primary action is the 8-month suspension of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer from the Kingdom of Morocco.The Reason: Global supply chains have been shattered by foreign conflicts and trade restrictions from other major producers (like Russia or China).The Goal: To prevent a "food production crisis" by ensuring farmers have affordable nutrients for the fall and spring planting seasons. By choosing Morocco—a key strategic partner—the administration is diversifying the U.S. supply chain away from "unfriendly" nations.The administration frames the fertilizer shortage not just as an economic issue, but as a national security emergency.Defense Production Act (DPA): The text mentions a February 2026 move to use the DPA to protect domestic production of elemental phosphorus. This chemical is essential for both food and military technology (like flares and munitions), showing a "whole-of-government" approach to resource sovereignty.The document highlights how the administration has permanently changed the financial landscape for farmers:Eliminating the "Death Tax": Making the estate tax exemption permanent to ensure family farms can stay in the family across generations.Immediate Expensing (Section 179): Allowing farmers to write off the full cost of new tractors or barn improvements in a single year, encouraging immediate reinvestment.Farmland Preservation: A unique tax rule allows farmers to defer capital gains taxes when selling land to other farmers, preventing farmland from being lost to developers or foreign interests.This fertilizer proclamation works in tandem with the June 2026 Agricultural Innovation EO:While the administration is ensuring an abundant supply of fertilizer now, it is simultaneously funding research into regenerative and precision agriculture to reduce the long-term dependency on these chemicals.The ultimate goal is a food supply that is "the healthiest, most abundant, and most affordable in the world."By removing duties on Morocco while using the DPA at home, the administration is executing a "pincer" strategy:Short Term: Use "America First" diplomacy to secure imports from allies.Long Term: Build domestic "Energy and Agricultural Dominance" so the U.S. never has to rely on foreign powers for its basic survival needs.This proclamation is a direct intervention in the marketplace to lower the "input costs" of farming. By making fertilizer cheaper and taxes lower, the administration is betting that American farmers will produce a record-breaking harvest for the 250th anniversary year, driving down grocery prices for families and reinforcing national self-sufficiency.