Trump seeks ‘massive’ Belarus fertiliser deal amid Canada trade war
Summary
President Donald Trump announced plans to buy potash fertiliser from Belarus, aiming for lower prices than from Canada. This move marks a shift amid growing trade tensions with Canada and signals a warming of relations with Belarus despite its political issues and support for Russia.Key Facts
- The US currently buys most of its potash fertiliser from Canada (79%), with smaller amounts from Russia (11%) and Belarus (4%).
- Potash is a key ingredient in fertiliser and prices rose after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- President Trump said the deal with Belarus would offer potash at much lower prices than Canada.
- This decision comes during an escalating trade dispute between the US and Canada.
- The US has recently eased sanctions on two Belarusian companies, and Belarus freed 25 political prisoners.
- Belarus is led by President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and faced protests after his 2020 reelection.
- Western countries sanctioned Belarus for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through Belarusian territory.
- Belarus’s opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya warned that trading with Lukashenko’s regime is risky because the money supports repression and the war in Ukraine.
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