The White House announced that President Donald Trump has authorized the temporary suspension of certain duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. This move is intended to help farmers who are struggling with fertilizer shortages due to the Iran war.

Background

According to White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, the Trump administration has been seeking more sources of fertilizer. The global supply chain for phosphate fertilizer has been disrupted by conflicts in fertilizer-producing regions and trade actions taken by major fertilizer-producing countries.

Currently, US production of phosphate fertilizer is insufficient to support domestic agricultural food production after accounting for exports. The Trump administration is working with the private sector to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing capacity, but these efforts will take time to increase the supply materially.

Producers in countries like Morocco can supply phosphate fertilizers to the US without disruption at this time. The suspension of duties is expected to help alleviate the fertilizer shortage and support US farmers.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.