Trump’s Controversial Glyphosate Order Sparks Fury: MAHA Launches Bold Opposition to Roundup Chemical
President Donald Trump has taken significant steps to bolster American agriculture and national security by invoking the Defense Production Act through an executive order aimed at increasing the domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate-the latter being a widely used herbicide. During an event on February 18, 2026, at the White House, Trump emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “I find that ensuring robust domestic elemental phosphorus mining and United States-based production of glyphosate-based herbicides is central to American economic and national security. Without immediate Federal action, the United States remains inadequately equipped and vulnerable.”
This order aligns Trump with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, particularly significant following the withdrawal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the 2024 presidential race. The MAHA movement has criticized glyphosate as a detrimental chemical, a stance that Trump seems to have embraced by pushing for enhanced domestic production despite its controversial reputation.
Glyphosate has long been a staple in U.S. agricultural practices but has faced scrutiny for its alleged links to cancer. Notably, Bayer, the manufacturer of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, has proposed a staggering settlement of $7.25 billion to resolve lawsuits claiming that their product causes cancer, reiterating the ongoing debate surrounding its safety.
Phosphorus, highlighted in Trump’s order, is essential not only in the production of glyphosate but also in the manufacturing of critical military equipment. The executive order mandates Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to issue regulations and directives to boost the availability of both phosphorus and glyphosate. According to a White House fact sheet, this move is crucial to ensure sustained domestic supply chains, stating that the absence of these chemicals could jeopardize food security and defense capabilities.
The fact sheet denotes that the U.S. has only one domestic producer of both elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, adding to the urgency of the order. The Biden administration had previously faced increased pressure to address agricultural supply chain vulnerabilities, illuminating Trump’s timely intervention in the sector.
Kennedy, who previously won a significant lawsuit against Monsanto, the original maker of Roundup, has softened his position on glyphosate since his appointment as HHS Secretary for Trump. He acknowledged the necessity of glyphosate in American farming, stating, “We cannot take any step that will put a single farmer in this country out of business. There’s a million farmers who rely on glyphosate.”
In response to the executive order, Monsanto reiterated the importance of ensuring that U.S. farmers have access to vital, domestically produced agricultural tools like glyphosate, expressing its commitment to comply with the new regulations.
As discussions around the safety and regulation of agricultural chemicals continue, Trump’s executive order marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of public health, agriculture, and national security, showcasing the complexities of American food production policy in the face of growing international risks.
This resolution underscores an ongoing commitment to sustaining American food security and defense industrial readiness, resonating with various stakeholders from farmers to lawmakers as they navigate a rapidly changing global landscape.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/18/trump-executive-order-weedkiller-hated-by-maha.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-19 07:33:00
