President Donald Trump has said he is working on a 'massive' deal to buy potash fertiliser from Belarus, a Russian ally, pivoting away from long-term supplier Canada amid an escalating trade war.
Key facts
- Trump announced on Truth Social that the US is working on a 'massive' deal to buy potash from Belarus.
- He said the pricing would be 'substantially less' than the US currently pays Canada.
- The move comes amid an escalating US trade dispute with Canada, a top supplier of potash.
- Belarus is an ally of Russia.
- Trump framed the deal as 'very good news for our farmers and ranchers.'
President Donald Trump has said he is working on a “massive” deal to buy fertiliser from Belarus, pivoting away from main supplier Canada amid an escalating trade dispute, according to the Guardian.
“The United States is working on a massive deal with respect to the purchase of Potash from Belarus,” Trump said on his Truth Social network. He added that “the pricing would be for substantially less than we are currently paying to Canada, very good news for our farmers and ranchers.”
The announcement marks a notable shift toward an ally of Russia and away from Canada, described by the Guardian as a long-term US ally and top supplier of potash.
The move comes as Trump steps up his trade war with Canada. Potash is a key ingredient in fertilisers used across US agriculture, making the sourcing of the mineral significant for American farmers and ranchers.
Trump presented the potential deal in terms of cost savings for US agricultural producers, saying the pricing from Belarus would be substantially lower than current prices paid to Canada.
The Guardian reported the announcement as part of a broader escalation in the trade dispute between the United States and Canada. Further details of the proposed Belarus deal were not provided in the announcement.
Why it matters
Potash is essential for US agriculture, so where the country sources it affects the cost of food production and farmers' bottom lines. Trump's move to look toward Belarus, a Russian ally, over Canada signals a significant realignment of trade relationships driven by his dispute with a traditional US ally.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Trump looking to buy fertiliser from Belarus?
Trump said the US is working on a deal to buy potash from Belarus because the pricing would be substantially less than the US currently pays Canada, framing it as good news for farmers and ranchers, amid an escalating trade dispute with Canada.
What is potash used for?
Potash is a key ingredient in fertilisers used in agriculture. The sourcing of it matters to US farmers and ranchers, according to the Guardian's reporting.
Why is the choice of Belarus significant?
Belarus is an ally of Russia, and Canada — the supplier Trump is moving away from — is described as a long-term US ally and top potash supplier, making the pivot politically notable.