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Trump temporarily lifts Moroccan phosphate duties, ag groups welcome fertilizer relief

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation temporarily lifting countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer from Morocco, and several ag groups say they are pleased with the decision.

National Corn Growers Association President and Ohio farmer Jed Bower tells Brownfield this is a big step forward, even though it’s temporary.

“We hope this will continue to show, as we see the phosphates come down, bringing relief back to the American farmer, that this was a positive move and the administration will push to to remove these completely after that.”

The emergency declaration says Moroccan fertilizer duties are suspended for up to eight months or until the president ends the emergency, whichever comes first, to increase phosphate supplies ahead of the 2027 planting season. Additional supply could help reduce shortages in what the Trump administration is calling a fertilizer supply emergency. The U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments are expected to implement the directive.

Bower says the countervailing duties, implemented in 2020, allowed the Mosaic Company to dominate the U.S. phosphate market, contributing to higher fertilizer prices.

“We truly want to support American companies, and watch American companies succeed and be profitable, but when you’re making a record profits when we’re seeing some of the worst losses ever across agriculture, it’s a shame.”

In a statement, the Mosaic Company tells Brownfield they support a strong domestic phosphate fertilizer industry and suspending these duties increases U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers. The company will continue supporting the long-term enforcement of countervailing duties on Moroccan and Russian phosphate fertilizer. They also say the Trump administration should address high domestic sulfur costs.

Bower says President Trump’s proclamation impacts all of agriculture.

“We all are using phosphate, obviously at different levels, but it’s bad in rural America and we need all the relief we can get.”

The American Soybean Association and National Cotton Council have said they’re supportive, along with the American Farm Bureau Federation saying the decision to suspend tariffs, along with a recent request for emergency economic aid for farmers, are common-sense steps that will bring relief to farmers when they need it most.