A Trump order protected a weedkiller. And also a Weapon of War
By Hiroko Tabuchu
Published March 8, 2026 on Seattle Times
When President Donald Trump issued an abrupt order last month compelling the production of glyphosate, the controversial weedkiller known as Roundup, he angered health activists who have long campaigned to ban the product for its links to cancer.
But largely overshadowed in the...
**Steelman:** The strongest version of this narrative highlights legitimate national security concerns—white phosphorus is critical for military readiness, and glyphosate is central to U.S. agriculture. Bayer’s dual role creates a single point of failure, justifying government intervention to prevent supply chain disruptions. The administration’s actions could be framed as pragmatic, balancing defense needs with economic stability, while Bayer’s lobbying, though aggressive, operates within legal...
