Key facts
- U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will continue buying potash from Canada.
- Belarus would like to sell potash at a lower price, Trump told reporters.
- Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly.
- The potential purchase of potash from Belarus signals Trump's willingness to use alternative suppliers as leverage in trade disputes with Canada.
- Washington's relations with Belarus could see a further thaw after sanctions were lifted.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States would continue to purchase potash from Canada, but noted that Belarus would be willing to sell the commodity at a lower price. Trump made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly.
"Belarus has a lot of potash, and our farmers need good prices," Trump told reporters. "We'll continue to go with Canada, but Belarus would like to sell it for a much lower price," he added.
The proposed purchase signals Trump's willingness to use alternative suppliers as leverage in trade disputes with Canada, which supplies the vast majority of U.S. potash imports. It could also mark a further thaw in Washington's relations with Belarus after the lifting of sanctions.