Washington, September 22, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is working on a major agreement to purchase potash from Belarus at a price he said would be substantially lower than what the United States currently pays Canada. The announcement comes amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
Potash is a key ingredient in fertilizer and is important for agricultural productivity. The United States relies heavily on imports, with Canada supplying the vast majority of U.S. potash needs. According to U.S. Geological Survey data cited in recent reports, about 79% of U.S. potash imports in 2024 came from Canada, while Belarus accounted for about 4%.
Trump said the proposed Belarus deal could reduce fertilizer costs for American farmers and ranchers. The announcement comes as the United States and Canada remain engaged in a broader trade dispute involving tariffs and other commercial measures.
Belarus Faces Supply and Logistics Constraints
While Trump described the potential agreement as a major deal, questions remain over how much Belarusian potash could actually reach the U.S. market. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that much of the country’s potash production is already committed under existing contracts and that Belarus does not currently have large additional volumes available for Western markets.
Transportation is another challenge. Belarus is landlocked, and restrictions affecting traditional export routes through Lithuania have complicated shipments. Reports also indicate that any larger U.S. imports could face additional logistical and sanctions-related hurdles.
A Shift in the US Fertilizer Supply Chain
The proposed agreement could potentially diversify the sources available to U.S. fertilizer buyers, but its ultimate scale and economic impact will depend on pricing, available Belarusian production, transportation routes and applicable sanctions.
The development also comes amid Washington’s efforts to improve relations with Minsk. The United States has eased some sanctions on Belarus following the release of political prisoners, while Belarus remains closely aligned with Russia.
For farmers, the key issue will be whether additional supply can translate into lower fertilizer costs. For Canada, the proposal highlights the importance of its position in the North American potash market amid the continuing U.S.-Canada trade dispute.