Trump says he wants potash from Belarus for ‘subtantially less’ than Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the United States is negotiating a deal with Belarus to purchase potash for "substantially less" than the price it currently pays to Canada, promising a "massive Deal" for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Belarus, an ally of Russia, has been accused by European officials of being an "accomplice" to Russia's actions in Ukraine and recently held joint military drills with Moscow, including practice for potential nuclear weapon use.

Potash, a vital ingredient in fertilizers that supports plant growth and increases crop yield, is primarily exported from Canada, which is the world's leading potash exporter. The U.S. currently imports 79% of its potash from Canada, while Belarus and Russia account for 3% and 11% respectively. Trump's comments come after Canada and the U.S. failed to reach an agreement last month over terms that Prime Minister Mark Carney alleged were unfavorable to Canada, including restrictions on new trade deals with other nations. Since then, Trump has imposed additional tariffs and import restrictions on Canada.