President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States is working on a massive deal to purchase potash, a critical fertilizer ingredient, from Belarus. This move represents a pivot away from Canada, a long-term US ally and top supplier, amid an escalating trade dispute.
Trump stated on his Truth Social network that potash from Belarus would cost substantially less than current Canadian supplies, which he described as very good news for American farmers and ranchers. The shift comes as the president's trade war has been hamstrung by a reliance on Canada for many goods.
The proposed purchases would expand trade with Belarus and the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia that helped Moscow launch its invasion of Ukraine. The move is seen as a sign of Washington's warming relationship with Minsk.
However, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko responded on Monday by stating that Belarus cannot supply the United States with large volumes of potash.