U.S. President Donald Trump says he is working on a β€œmassive deal” to purchase potash from Belarus.

β€œThe pricing would be for substantially less than we are currently paying to Canada, very good news for our Farmers and Ranchers,” he posted to Truth Social on Monday.

Canada is the leading exporter of potash, shipping about 22.9 million tonnes in 2024, accounting for over 39 per cent of global exports according to the Government of Canada.

The leading destination of Canadian exports of potash is the United States. The U.S. imports nearly 85 per cent of its potash from Canada.

Belarus ranks third in potash production behind Russia and Canada.

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[–] 60 points 1 week ago (9 children)

Belarus is a Russian ally. Current President Lukashenko, "Europe's last dictator", was "elected" in 1994.

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  • [–] 19 points 1 week ago (3 children)

    Belarus is a russian ally and therefore the USA is a…?

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  • [+] -32 points 1 week ago (4 children)

    Lukashenko is one of several dictators in Europe. The others include Putin (obviously), the Pope, Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, and a few edge cases with near-dictatorial powers: VučiΔ‡ in Serbia, Albert II of Monaco and Zelenskyy in Ukraine, who, although understandably given the circumstances, suspended elections and remains in power indefinitely.

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  • [–] 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Out of these, I suspect that Zelenskyy is the one who would rather be chilling on a beach somewhere than be in power longer than necessary.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 week ago*

    Hans-Adam II might have near dictatorial powers, within the constitutional monarchy, but only one with a self destruct button. The citizens of Liechtenstein can initiate a process that forces a referendum on the abolition of the monarchy and he does not have a veto to that. Unlike Russia, people working towards that goal will also not disappear in some Gulag. That is the difference to a dictatorship.

    Zelenskyy hasn't suspended elections. The constitution itself suspends elections during war time. That is not indefinitely either, unless you are suggesting that Russia is planning to send its citizens to their death in the hundreds thousands per year for eternity. Other democracies have suspended elections while being invaded as well. That is actually rather the norm than the exception.

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  • [–] 42 points 1 week ago* (1 child)

    Creates a potash supply line dependant on belarus

    Belarus is a russian puppet

    Russia uses Belarussian potash for leverage against the US

    "How could i not see this coming???"

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  • So suddenly, trade is not a zero sum game when it involves dealing with dictators. There's so many red flags right with US Russian involvement now that if I were Zelensky, I would not be attending the US for any peace talks. This is a lifeline for Russia and proxies.

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  • [–] 34 points 1 week ago (3 children)

    A concept of a plan. A deal almost done. Just about to close.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Any day now it could happen. They are ready to make a deal. It’s gonna be the best deal. I don’t care if they make a deal. We could have a deal tomorrow.

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  • [–] 29 points 1 week ago (1 child)
  • [–] 25 points 1 week ago

    Does he know the shipping cost difference?

    It's fine he will just tarrif the potash to recoup the cost lmao

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  • [–] 20 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Just like that time he said he had a peace deal for both Gaza and a nuclear deal with Iran...

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  • [–] 17 points 1 week ago

    Bravo! Great way to introduce vulnerabilities into a critical supply chain. /s

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  • [–] 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Every time I see the word "potash" as a non-native English speaker, it trips me up immediately thinking its some slang for potato but pronounced like moustache.

    Gimme some potash for ma stew!

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  • [–] 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Huh, I always thought Kazakhstan was number one exporter of potassium.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 week ago

    Belarus has no potash.

    Good job, prez kiddie diddler. A stunning example of a quality trade deal. 😏

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  • [–] 4 points 1 week ago

    Belarus has no potash.

    Good job, prez kiddie diddler. A stunning example of a quality trade deal. 😏

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