The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has announced the launch of a second review of countervailing duties imposed on imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco, following a court ruling that demanded a more robust justification.
This latest development, published Tuesday in the Federal Register, comes in response to an April 22, 2025 decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which questioned the rationale provided by the USITC for concluding that imports from Morocco—as well as Russia—were harming the U.S. fertilizer industry.
A Sensitive Trade Dispute
The case dates back to March 2021, when the USITC initially determined that phosphate products from the Moroccan group OCP (Office Chérifien des Phosphates) and from Russia were materially injuring U.S. producers. That decision led to the imposition of countervailing duties aimed at shielding American industry.
OCP, which accounts for a major share of Morocco’s fertilizer exports, quickly challenged the ruling in U.S. courts. Although a first review in January 2024 upheld the original findings, the Court ultimately ruled this past April that the USITC’s reasoning lacked sufficient legal foundation, ordering a second review without the inclusion of any new evidence.
High-Stakes Commercial Implications
Only parties involved in the original investigation—chief among them OCP—are authorized to submit written comments, with a deadline set for June 20, 2025.
This new review will be strictly confined to the existing case record, with no additional documentation permitted.
The stakes are high for Morocco, whose fertilizer sector is a strategic pillar of its economy—especially amid current global pressures on agricultural supply chains.
The United States, for its part, is seeking to balance trade protectionism with ensuring affordable access to critical agricultural inputs for American farmers.
This new phase in the legal dispute could reshape economic ties between Rabat and Washington, as OCP continues to expand its global footprint, particularly in Africa and Latin America.
The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the future of this trade relationship and Morocco’s position in the U.S. fertilizer market.
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