Trump's Glyphosate Production Order Faces Backlash

Summary

On February 18, President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign imports like those from China for national security and food supply. The move has sparked controversy and backlash from some of his own MAHA supporters and allies of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who cite health concerns and warn of potential negative impacts on the upcoming midterm elections.Reuters

Impact Analysis

This isn’t just about herbicides; it’s a political stress test for Trump’s coalition. By invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic glyphosate production, he’s explicitly framing it as a national security issue to cut reliance on China. The real story, however, is the backlash from within his own MAHA base.Reuters Supporters of Health Secretary RFK Jr. are calling it a betrayal over health concerns, warning it could jeopardize Republican support in the November midterms.Reuters This is a calculated gamble, prioritizing the agro-industrial complex and a tough-on-China stance over the anti-establishment health wing of his movement. While it’s a clear tailwind for domestic chemical producers, the bigger story is the political fracture. This internal division introduces a new layer of uncertainty for the midterms, which the market might be underestimating.