• Skip to main content

    North America

    17 June 2026

    USITC moves to full review of US phosphate duties

    Written by Natalie Noor-Drugan

    The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has decided to carry out a full, in depth review of US subsidy duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia. The case concerns countervailing duty measures first imposed in April 2021 on these products entering the United States.

    On 2 March 2026, the Commission formally opened the mandatory five year (“sunset”) reviews to examine whether ending the duties would likely cause renewed harm to US phosphate fertilizer producers. Interested parties were asked to submit detailed information on production, trade flows and market conditions for 2025.

    On 5 June 2026, the Commission held an “adequacy vote” to assess whether both domestic producers and foreign respondents had provided enough information to justify a full review. For Morocco (case 701 650) and Russia (case 701 651), the Commission found responses from both sides “adequate” and voted to proceed with full reviews in each investigation.

    The investigation record now lists the review type as “Full” and the status as “Active” from 5 June 2026, with later steps – such as a detailed review schedule and any hearing – still to be set. This means the existing US duties on Moroccan and Russian phosphate fertilizers remain in force while the Commission continues its analysis.

    Natalie Noor-Drugan

    Read more from Natalie Noor-Drugan

    Latest in North America

    Alberta wildfires stopped near key oilsands sulphur facilities

    The immediate threat to Canadian sulphur supply from the Alberta oilsands has eased, after several large wildfires in the Lac la Biche region were classified as “being held” with the help of rainfall in early June. The region has a combined annual sulphur production capacity of nearly 3 million t/a. Around 700,000 t/a of this is produced in the Edmonton area, primarily from Shell’s Scotford upgrader (580,000 t/a) and the Redwater refinery (130,000 t/a). The majority of the output, approximately 2.2 million t/a, is concentrated further north near Fort McMurray at facilities operated by Suncor, Syncrude, and CNRL Horizon. The out-of-control fires prompted evacuation alerts near in-situ sites operated by Cenovus, Canadian Natural Resources, and ConocoPhillips. While this specific threat has passed, the event highlights the seasonal vulnerability of Canadian sulphur supply, with the wildfire season typically running through the summer.

    Travertine processes Ariane phosphate samples

    Arianne Phosphate has provided samples of its phosphate concentrate for processing at Travertine’s facility in Boulder, Colorado, US. Pilot scale testing was successfully performed, demonstrating proof of concept on the process and production of a high-quality purified phosphoric acid (PPA). The Travertine process captures and recycles over 95% of the sulphur used in the process of making PPA, providing a virtually closed loop system. The PPA produced using the process met specifications required for both LFP batteries as well as fertilizers. The companies have begun work to advance the PPA demonstration plant in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, working with potential partners as well as end-users of the product.