UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (Reuters) - ⁠US ⁠President Donald ⁠Trump, asked on Tuesday about ​a potential deal to purchase potash ‌from Belarus, said the ‌US would continue ⁠buying ⁠from Canada but Belarus would like to sell ​at a lower price.

Trump's escalating trade confrontation with Canada has fueled fresh fears over the extraordinary deterioration in relations between the longtime allies.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spent the past year arguing that Canada should stop taking orders from Washington and start building its own alliances. This week, Europe answered him directly with an open invitation that many see as a direct rebuke to President Donald Trump 's handling of America's closest neighbor.

Donald Trump’s trade confrontation with Canada is taking an unexpected turn toward Russia-aligned Belarus. The president says Washington is negotiating a «massive Deal» to purchase Belarusian potash for «substantially less» than it currently pays Canada,

Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly said there’s bipartisan political support for tariffs in the US, raising the possibility the country’s manufacturers will face barriers to North America’s largest market long after Donald Trump’s presidency.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is urgently trying to reduce dependence on the United States as President Donald Trump uses tariffs and economic pressure against America’s longtime ally.

Trump attacked Democrats in his Labor Day message, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney focused on tariffs and trade.

Trump’s appearance at the United Nations comes as allies are increasingly united in believing that the U.S. can’t be counted on as a reliable partner.