Trump signs executive order shielding glyphosate herbicide makers from lawsuits despite cancer concerns

President Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aimed at protecting the production of glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup, despite ongoing health concerns and thousands of pending lawsuits linking the widely-used weedkiller to cancer. The order also seeks to grant legal “immunity” to manufacturers of these herbicides, potentially shielding companies like Bayer from future litigation.

Glyphosate, the world’s most commonly used herbicide, has been at the center of a growing legal battle in recent years. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen,” and numerous studies have suggested potential links between the chemical and various health issues, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These findings have sparked thousands of lawsuits against manufacturers, with some plaintiffs winning multi-million dollar settlements.

The executive order has drawn sharp criticism from health and environmental advocacy groups, who argue that protecting herbicide manufacturers from liability could undermine public health protections. Notably, the backlash includes voices from within Trump’s own Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) coalition, highlighting internal tensions over chemical regulation policies.

The order frames glyphosate protection as a matter of national defense, citing the need to ensure adequate supplies of both the herbicide and elemental phosphorus. However, critics argue that prioritizing chemical industry interests over public health concerns sets a dangerous precedent for environmental regulation and consumer protection.