Trump says U.S. hammering out potash deal with Belarus in bid to sideline Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is negotiating a deal to purchase potash from Belarus, aiming to reduce reliance on Canadian fertilizer. In a social media post, Trump stated that the prices for the Belarusian potash would be "substantially less" than the rates American buyers currently pay to Canadian exporters. The president described the proposed agreement with Belarus, a close ally of Russia, as "very good news" for American farmers and ranchers.

The demand for potash has surged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but prices have since declined, although they remain above pre-war levels. The United States heavily depends on Canadian potash, with Nutrien Ltd., a Saskatchewan-based producer, reporting that Canada supplies over 80% of the potash used on U.S. farms. According to Natural Resources Canada, the United States imported $4.2 billion worth of potash in 2025, which accounts for nearly half of Canada's potash exports.

Despite being exempt from U.S. tariffs, potash is a crucial ingredient in fertilizers, and Canada produced approximately one-third of the world's potash supply in 2023, trailing behind Russia and Belarus. This report, originally published by The Canadian Press on September 21, 2026, highlights the significance of the potential deal between the U.S. and Belarus in the global potash market.