Opponents of Tariffs

"While U.S. farmers value domestic supply, U.S. production is highly concentrated, and our understanding is that supplies are effectively controlled by a single U.S. manufacturer, which presents a risky and insecure situation for om farmers. The Covid pandemic and other emergencies have shown us that multiple sources of phosphate products are necessary to ensure the reliability of supply and to meet the logistical needs of farmers around the country."

"The imposition of duties between 9.19 and 47.05 percent on phosphate fertilizers would result not only in higher input costs for U.S. farmers but also potentially limit their options for applying necessary crop inputs. Given the unprcedented volatility experienced in the agricultural economy over the past three years, it is especially immportant to avoid imposing unnecessary duties that will further limit fertilizer options and raise the cost of production for farmers.

"It is our view that countervailing duties on these imports will adversely impact the availability of phosphate fertilizer in the United States and adversely affect crop production and farmer livelihoods."

"Farmers across the country depend on affordable phosphate fertilizers to produce a variety of crops, and a sharp rise in price would have a dramatic impact during an already volatile time for many U.S. farmers."

"This shift in the market would drive up prices for farmers that are already disadvantaged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given financial harm duties on phosphate fertilizers will cause U.S. farmers, we urge the Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission to deny this petition."

“With the consideration of a potential duty being imposed, price disruptions for the domestic market will react and conservative estimates are expected to increase costs of phosphate fertilizer by $80 per ton.

“This price increase would come at a time where net farm income in 2020 is estimated to decline by $3 billion and net cash income to decline by $18 billion.”

“America’s farmers are increasingly concerned about their access to an affordable, competitive supply of this crucial fertilizer…price increase due to the application of import duties will soon affect their planting decisions.

“[The] Farm Bureau believes that imposing the requested countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports will add to agricultural production costs.

“The application of the [phosphate fertilizer] duties…will result in a constricted supply and an imposed higher price for [farmers].”

“If approved, these new import tariffs will have a significant negative impact on U.S. farmers and farm profitability. In fact, the impact will be a $400 million hit to the U.S. farmer."

“We respectfully ask that you spare America's cotton producers and other farmers the unnecessary input cost increases that will follow.”

"Even the threat of countervailing duties on phosphate imports is creating upward price pressures on this critical nutrient at one of the most challenging economic times in recent history.”

"Given the downward pricing trends for nearly all raw materials and the farm commodities that depend on them, it is unrealistic to single out two countries, Morocco and Russia, for unfair trade practices.”

“Granting this petition will very likely limit fertilizer supply options for America’s farmers and ranchers and increase their input costs.”

“Because of the Commission’s authority to impose retroactive duties, the petition by The Mosaic Company asking for new and significant duties on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia will unnecessarily create upward pricing pressure on phosphate that will be felt by our members and their customers immediately if it proceeds to an investigation phase.

“Given the downward pricing trends for nearly all raw materials and the commodities that depend on them, the it is unrealistic to single out two countries, Morocco and Russia, for unfair trade practices, as was done in the petition.”