Trump seeks 'massive' Belarus potash deal to undercut Canada, but Lukashenko says he has no spare supply

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US is working on a "massive" deal to buy potash fertiliser from Belarus, pivoting away from Canada — which supplies 79% of US potash — amid his escalating trade war with Ottawa. The move would deepen ties with an authoritarian regime that helped Russia invade Ukraine, and Belarus has quietly freed 25 political prisoners as the US lifted sanctions on two Belarusian companies. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed talks are under way but admitted his country has no spare supply, with virtually all production already contracted to China, India and Indonesia. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, whose province produces Canada's potash, has reacted with alarm at the announcement.

Lukashenko's office said bluntly: 'Even if we wanted to supply Western markets, we simply do not have those volumes — everything is contracted.'

In 2024, 79% of US potash came from Canada, 11% from Russia and just 4% from Belarus, according to the US Geological Survey.