UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 - U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the prospect of buying potash from Belarus during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, saying the United States would maintain purchases from Canada while acknowledging Belarusian interest in selling at lower prices.
"Belarus has a lot of potash, and our farmers need good prices," the president told reporters. "We’ll continue to go with Canada, but Belarus would like to sell it for a much lower price."
The idea of a possible purchase from Belarus was first raised by the president on the preceding day. In the comments at the U.N. gathering, the proposal was framed in the context of supplier options and pricing pressure rather than as an immediate change in procurement policy.
Observers of the potash trade note that Canada supplies the large majority of U.S. potash imports. The presidents remarks signal a willingness to highlight alternative suppliers as part of trade discussions with Canada, using the prospect of different sourcing to influence pricing or negotiations.
In addition to trade dynamics, the presidents comments were reported alongside reference to a policy shift involving Belarus: the lifting of sanctions, a move that could open channels for Belarus to offer its potash to new buyers. The statement did not specify any purchase agreements or timelines; it reiterated a preference to continue sourcing primarily from Canada while acknowledging Belarus's lower-price offers.
The immediate effect of the comments is descriptive rather than transactional: they convey intent and negotiating posture rather than announce a finalized procurement shift. The administrations stance, as expressed at the bilateral meeting, keeps current supplier relationships intact while publicly recognizing potential competition from Belarusian producers.
Contextual note - The statements were made during a bilateral meeting at the United Nations and reflect the presidents public remarks on supplier options for potash, pricing considerations for farmers, and recent developments in relations with Belarus following the removal of sanctions.