Story perspectives

Trump Announces U.S. Potash Talks With Belarus at Discounts

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 2:23 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Shares Fall After Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 21, 2026 that the United States is negotiating a potash purchase from Belarus at prices lower than Canada’s.
Sanctions were lifted by President Donald Trump in March 2026 after Minsk released political prisoners.
Nutrien Ltd. and Mosaic Co. shares fell 5.2% and 5.9% respectively after the announcement.
Josh Linville said Belarusian potash is unlikely to lower fertilizer prices and supplies are sufficient.

Left

Blood Potash Criticism

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 21, 2026 the United States is negotiating a potash purchase from Belarus at lower prices than Canadian imports.
Critics say the deal backs a regime tied to Russia’s war, endangering Canadian workers and supply chains.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called deal “blood potash,” saying it backs Russian aggression.
Analysts note Belarus’s landlocked location and Lithuania’s transit ban hinder large U.S. shipments.

Blindspot

Trump lifted U.S. sanctions on Belarusian potash companies in March 2026 after Minsk agreed to release political prisoners, citing the release as a condition.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 2020 Belaruskali miners struck, prompting authorities to fire 49 workers; the United States added the firm to its SDN list on 9 August 2021 and the EU imposed potash restrictions in June 2021. Sanctions persisted through 2024, keeping the company a major revenue source for Lukashenko. In September 2026 former President Donald Trump announced renewed potash talks with Minsk, reviving the leverage-for-trade pattern.

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Shares Fall After Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 21, 2026 that the United States is negotiating a potash purchase from Belarus at prices lower than Canada’s.
Sanctions were lifted by President Donald Trump in March 2026 after Minsk released political prisoners.
Nutrien Ltd. and Mosaic Co. shares fell 5.2% and 5.9% respectively after the announcement.
Josh Linville said Belarusian potash is unlikely to lower fertilizer prices and supplies are sufficient.

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