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Trump says U.S. is working on ‘major deal’ to replace Canadian potash with Belarusian supplies, but President Alexander Lukashenko says Minsk has none to spare - Meduza
Meduza • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. is negotiating a "massive deal" to buy potash fertilizer from Belarus at prices significantly lower than current Canadian imports, aiming to benefit American farmers and ranchers.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that despite potential access to Western markets, Belarus cannot supply additional potash because all production is already committed under existing contracts, primarily shifted toward eastern markets.
- The U.S. depends heavily on potash fertilizer imports, with Canada supplying nearly 80% and Russia about 12%, making Belarus a potentially significant alternative source.
- Belarus is a major global potash producer alongside Canada, Russia, and China, but Western sanctions related to the 2020 Belarusian protests crackdown and Belarus's role in Russia's war in Ukraine have limited its market access.
