Trump Says US Negotiating Major Potash Deal With Belarus at Lower Prices
On September 21, 2026, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States is working on a massive agreement to buy potash from Belarus at prices substantially less than those paid to Canada. He called it very good news for farmers and ranchers and a way to blunt the cost of the trade war. No purchase volume, contract value, or delivery timeline was announced. The announcement comes amid a trade dispute with Canada that has raised potash prices for US farmers and ranchers, and as the US lifts restrictions on Belarusian finance and potash sectors. Belarus freed 114 civilians, including five Ukrainians, in mid-December following high-level negotiations. In 2020 the Trump administration refused to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as legitimate president, citing electoral fraud; the 2026 post referred to him as the highly respected President of Belarus. Some coverage stresses fertilizer cost relief and supply diversification from Canada; other coverage stresses the shift toward a leader accused of election fraud and human rights abuses and Belarus's alignment with Russia. Whether a final deal is reached, on what terms, and with what diplomatic effects remains unresolved.