(Central News Agency reporter Youyao Ru, Vilnius, 30th) The Trump administration in the United States is reportedly putting pressure on Lithuania in hopes of relaxing EU sanctions on Belarus so that Belarusian potash fertilizer can be exported through Baltic ports to reduce fertilizer costs for American farmers. However, Lithuania has long supported Ukraine, and European officials are also concerned that easing sanctions may strengthen the power of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
POLITICO political news network reported that four European officials revealed that U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale has contacted Lithuanian diplomats in recent weeks to explore the possibility of easing restrictions on Belarusian cargo transportation. The United States hopes that Belarusian potash fertilizer can be shipped to the global market via the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda or other ports in the Baltic Sea region.
Belarus is the world's major potash fertilizer supplier, accounting for approximately 20% of the global market. The United States currently relies almost entirely on imported potassium fertilizer, about 80% of which comes from Canada. U.S.-Canada trade talks broke down in August, and the two sides subsequently raised tariffs on each other, prompting the Trump administration to seek other sources of supply.
According to reports, Trump said last month that he was negotiating a major deal with Belarus, hoping to obtain potassium fertilizer at a lower price than currently purchased from Canadian companies. U.S. State Department officials stated that the United States will seek business opportunities that are in line with U.S. economic interests and will often discuss relevant prospects with allies and partners.
However, Belarusian potash exports are currently restricted by EU sanctions. After the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, the 27 member states of the European Union decided to impose relevant sanctions because they determined that the election was unfair and the authorities suppressed peaceful protests. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Belarus assisted Russia in the fight, the United States and Europe further tightened sanctions.
The report pointed out that all EU member states must unanimously agree to lift Belarusian potash transportation restrictions. Lithuania will take over the rotating EU presidency early next year and can theoretically exercise its veto power to invalidate sanctions when sanctions are extended in February next year. However, Lithuania is one of the EU countries that firmly supports Ukraine. Whether it cooperates with the US request may trigger domestic political disputes.
An Eastern European official told POLITICO that the United States is continuing to exert pressure, but the official emphasized that their response is "absolutely no." Another European official questioned whether there is sufficient market demand for Belarusian potash fertilizer, considering Canada's dominant position in the global potash fertilizer market.
European officials are also concerned that easing sanctions on Belarus could enhance Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's international standing and give him more leeway to continue jailing political dissidents.
The United States began lifting some of its sanctions on Belarus in March this year, including measures against the state-owned Belarusian Potash Company, positioning the move as a way to help reduce fertilizer costs for American farmers. Previously, Kohl had brokered the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus, and Washington partially relaxed sanctions on Belarus.
