The White House has quietly designated elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides as critical to national security, invoking presidential powers to shore up domestic supplies amid growing concerns about import dependency and military readiness.
In an executive order that received little fanfare, President Biden authorized the use of Defense Production Act authorities to address what officials describe as alarming vulnerabilities in the supply chain of these essential materials. The U.S. currently imports more than 6 million kilograms of elemental phosphorus annually, with only one domestic producer remaining — a situation the administration deems untenable for national defense.
Military Applications Drive Urgency
Why phosphorus? The element plays a crucial role in military operations, used in smoke screens, illumination devices, and incendiary weapons. But its importance extends beyond the battlefield. The compound is also vital for semiconductors used in defense technologies and lithium-ion batteries — components at the heart of America’s technological edge in warfare.
“This isn’t just about smoke grenades,” said a Defense Department official speaking on background. “We’re talking about the building blocks of modern military electronics and energy storage.”
Meanwhile, glyphosate-based herbicides — better known to consumers by brand names like Roundup — have been deemed equally critical, though for different reasons. These chemicals underpin U.S. agricultural productivity with no direct chemical alternative available, according to the order. Any disruption to their supply could potentially jeopardize food production and devastate rural economies.
Supply Chains and Legal Battles
The timing is notable. This move comes as Bayer, which acquired Monsanto (Roundup’s manufacturer) in 2018, continues to face thousands of lawsuits alleging the herbicide causes cancer — claims that remain hotly contested in scientific and regulatory circles. The EPA is expected to complete its next review of glyphosate safety in 2026.
The legal landscape around these chemicals grew even more complex earlier this year when environmental advocates successfully fought to remove a provision from the FY2026 funding bill that would have protected chemical companies from lawsuits related to nondisclosure of pesticide hazards.
“For too long, powerful chemical companies like Bayer have spent billions lobbying Congress to override the voices of states, towns, and families who are simply trying to protect their health,” stated a coalition of environmental groups following the victory.
The Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era law from 1950, grants presidents sweeping authority to intervene in industrial and economic policy when national security is at stake. The DPA’s Title III program specifically allows for investments to “create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore” domestic industrial capabilities deemed critical to defense.
Congressional Response
Congress has already begun responding to these developments. H.R. 8070 includes several amendments related to the Defense Production Act, including provisions that would prohibit investment from foreign adversaries in U.S. real estate intended for renewable energy development.
But will these measures be enough? The single domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides can’t currently meet America’s needs. Industry analysts suggest it could take years to build additional production capacity, even with federal support.
Mosaic Fertilizer, one of the companies potentially positioned to expand domestic production, has seen its stock become what market watchers call “the main character” in what they’re dubbing the phosphorus supply drama.
The executive order represents another instance of the administration using national security justifications to reshape industrial policy — a trend that began with semiconductor manufacturing and has now expanded to include agricultural chemicals and military supplies. Whether this approach will successfully secure America’s supply chains or simply create new dependencies remains to be seen.
