Lukashenko says Belarus doesn’t have enough potash for Trump
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated his country lacks sufficient potash volumes to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's demands, despite Trump's interest in purchasing it as a cheaper alternative to Canadian supplies. Lukashenko noted that existing volumes are already contracted, even after U.S. sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer were lifted in March.
Why it matters
This situation highlights ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and Canada, the strategic importance of agricultural fertilizers, and the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Belarus, the U.S., and Russia.
“Even if we wanted to supply [potash] to other, Western markets, we simply do not have those volumes,” said the Belarusian president.
Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Free article usually reserved for subscribers Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia on Dec. 21, 2025. | Pool photo by Alexander Kazakov via AFP/Getty Images September 22, 2026 3:15 pm CET By Veronika Melkozerova Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has admitted his country doesn't have enough potash to satisfy U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for the critical fertilizer.
“Everyone keeps saying: Ah, potash! Even if we wanted to supply [potash] to other, Western markets, we simply do not have those volumes — everything is contracted,” Lukashenko said Monday at a meeting with Vladimir Orlovsky, head of the Belarusian state customs authority.
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