U.S. – Trump: Deal in the Works to Buy Potash From Belarus

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (ATA-AFP) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced today that the United States is preparing a massive deal to purchase potash from Belarus, a mineral used chiefly in the production of chemical fertilizers.

In a post on his social network Truth Social, Trump said that potash prices from Belarus would be significantly lower than what the United States currently pays for supplies from Canada, the main supplier of the American market.

The announcement comes at a time of strong trade tensions between the United States and Canada.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the United States imports almost all the potash it uses.

In 2024, about 79% of U.S. imports of this mineral came from Canada, while Russia accounted for about 11% and Belarus for about 4%.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and its potash exports have been hit by the international sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The conflict in Ukraine caused a sharp rise in potash prices on international markets.

Prices have since declined, but remain at relatively high levels.

The deal announced by Trump could allow U.S. companies to diversify their potash supply sources, while for Belarus it would represent an important step toward expanding exports to the American market. / a.jor.