Arlington, VA – Following the announcement by President Donald Trump to place a tariff on Canadian imports, including fertilizer that is essential to successful harvests and affordable food for American families, The Fertilizer Institute President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released the following statement:
“The Fertilizer Institute stands ready to collaborate with the Trump Administration to spur growth in the fertilizer industry, support U.S. agriculture, and ensure affordable food prices for everyday Americans. Ensuring stable, affordable access to fertilizers is critical to maintaining a globally competitive U.S. agricultural sector, strengthening rural economies, and keeping food prices affordable for hard working American families.
“However, given their effects on the broader farm economy, TFI urges the Trump Administration to exempt Canadian potash and other fertilizers from the tariff order, especially as we approach the critical time of spring planting where nutrient delivery and application are essential for the harvests that fill American’s dinner tables with abundant and affordable food.
“The U.S. relies on imports for over 95% of its potash fertilizer needs, with nearly 90% of that coming from Canada. Canada also supplies U.S. growers with over 8% of our nitrogen fertilizer needs, accounting for 25% of U.S. nitrogen fertilizer imports.
“Potash, a vital source of crop nutrition essential for the health and productivity of U.S. agriculture, is a geographically limited resource produced by only a handful of countries worldwide. While the U.S. produced roughly 400,000 metric tons of potash in 2023, domestic potash consumption that year was approximately 5.3 million metric tons. No substitutes exist for potash as an essential plant nutrient.
“U.S. agriculture is benefited by a strong trade relationship with Canada that provides farmers with reliable access to essential crop nutrients. An open, fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment is vital to the continued growth of a resilient, competitive, and sustainable fertilizer industry for our farmer customers. Any disruption to the intertwined and mutually beneficial cross-border fertilizer trade between the U.S. and Canada will have significant ripple effects, not just for farmers but for the broader food supply chain and ultimately the prices consumers pay at the grocery store.
“TFI recognizes that today’s announcement is tied back to larger policy goals, and we remain committed to working closely with the Administration across several key areas. As a related point, including both phosphate and potash on the U.S. Geological Survey’s List of Critical Minerals would be a decisive step in bolstering domestic supplies of fertilizer for U.S. growers.”
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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst.
