Why an Herbicide and a Chemical Element are Now National Security Priorities

You might care about this because the President has just signed an Executive Order aimed at protecting our country's national defense and food supply. This order highlights two materials, elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, as absolutely vital. The President found that these are scarce and critical. Elemental phosphorus is essential for making many military technologies, like semiconductors for radar, special sensors, and advanced batteries for weapons. It is also used in smoke and incendiary devices. Glyphosate-based herbicides, a very common weed killer, are crucial for American farmers to grow crops efficiently and keep food affordable for everyone. Our country currently produces very little of these materials at home, relying heavily on imports and having only one main domestic producer. This creates a big risk for our national security, both for our military and our ability to feed ourselves. The Executive Order uses a special law, the Defense Production Act, to make sure we can produce enough of these critical items domestically. The goal is to strengthen our supply chains, reduce our dependence on other countries, and prevent potential disruptions that could harm our military or our food system. What makes this Executive Order particularly interesting is its broad view of national security. It is not just about traditional military equipment; it explicitly links agricultural chemicals like glyphosate to the country's defense. The President is essentially saying that having enough weed killer is as important as having advanced weapons because it directly impacts our ability to maintain a stable and affordable food supply, which is a cornerstone of national well-being. Using the Defense Production Act, a law typically used for wartime production, to prioritize the supply of an herbicide and a chemical precursor like elemental phosphorus, shows a significant expansion of what the government considers a critical national defense issue. This move highlights a growing concern about vulnerable supply chains for seemingly everyday items that have profound economic and security implications. It sets a precedent for how the government might intervene in other industries if domestic production is deemed insufficient for national interests. This Executive Order would be especially interesting to several groups. Farmers and agricultural businesses should pay close attention, as the order directly addresses the supply of glyphosate-based herbicides, which are vital for their operations and profitability. Anyone involved in the defense industry, particularly those manufacturing semiconductors, advanced batteries, or military sensors, will find the focus on elemental phosphorus highly relevant to their supply chains. Policymakers and government officials, especially those focused on national security, economic policy, or agricultural regulation, will see this as a significant development in how critical resources are managed. Academics and researchers studying supply chain resilience, food security, or the intersection of agriculture and national defense would also find this document a key case study. Finally, consumers concerned about food prices and the stability of their nation's food supply might want to understand how the government is working to ensure these basic necessities.