It looks like Canada is not the only country trying to diversify its trading relationships.
When Donald Trump announced he was working on a deal to buy potash from Belarus to replace product from Saskatchewan, it was a reminder that the Americans also have options on alternate suppliers.
Potash has been one of the more interesting products in the tariff/trade war to’ing-and-fro’ing between Canada and the US.
Premiers such as Doug Ford have suggested we should use it as a stick to keep Donald Trump at bay. The White House, not surprisingly, heard those suggestions.
Trump has decided to fire first, threatening to buy sanctioned potash from Belarus rather than Saskatchewan. He’s probably been planning this for a while as he removed US sanctions on the product some time ago.
Getting that potash to North America will not be quick or cheap but it is a reminder that all sides in this dispute have options. And being the best possible customer or supplier is a more sustainable trade policy than endlessly upping costs and barriers.
