Geopolitics meets Major League Baseball

Geopolitics meets Major League Baseball

Author: TD Securities May 27, 2026 Duration: 1:16:53
Frank and Peter found heaven in the May episode of Geopolitics with the marriage of a live audience for Episode 78 before a Jays game at the Rogers Center and a special guest appearance in the second half of this podcast by former Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Beeston to talk baseball. Frank covers a wide range of topics in the first 30 minutes including his view on the wars in Iran and Ukraine as well as Canadian hot button topics such as the upcoming CUSMA negotiations and the upcoming separation vote in Alberta. He also takes a moment to remember the life of his friend Robert Irving from Moncton who passed away recently. The conversation shifts to baseball where two kids in a candy store named McKenna and Haynes lined up to ask Beeston everything he knows about baseball including his view on the Jays in 2026 as well as the pending labor negotiations between players and owners. Beeston offers his thoughts on the electronic review of everything in baseball, an outcome he would not support and finishes with some thoughts on 50 years with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Chapter Headings 01:10 - Remember Robert Irving 03:52 - Are We Nearing the End of the Wars in Iran and Ukraine? 15:33 - Global Investors Turn Bullish on Canada 21:44 - CUSMA Rhetoric 29:00 - Premier Smith's Dangerous Gamble on Sovereignty Vote 39:07 - Beeston's 50 Game Review of Blue Jays Season 47:34 - Can Major League Baseball Avoid a Strike? 54:38 - Beeston Says No to Review of Every Umpire Decision 1:14:02 - Memories from 50 Years with the Blue Jays This podcast was recorded on 05/25/26

Each month, Peter Haynes sits down with Frank McKenna for a conversation that cuts through the noise of global headlines. The Geopolitics with Frank McKenna podcast provides a rare perspective, shaped by McKenna’s unique blend of experience as a former Canadian Premier and Ambassador to the U.S., now serving as Deputy Chair at TD Securities. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a practical analysis of how international tensions, trade disputes, and shifting alliances directly impact markets and business strategies. You’ll hear nuanced takes on the stories dominating the news, grounded in a deep understanding of both political corridors and boardrooms. Haynes guides these monthly dialogues to unpack complex issues with clarity, making the forces shaping our world accessible and relevant. For anyone looking to comprehend the real-world implications of global power dynamics, this series offers essential listening. The insights throughout this podcast come from a place of firsthand experience, offering listeners a valuable lens on the interconnected nature of policy and finance. Tune in for thoughtful, forward-looking conversations that go beyond the soundbite.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Geopolitics with Frank McKenna
Podcast Episodes
The Dog Days of Summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:00
With the ink not yet dry on the Canada-US trade agreement, Frank attempts to separate signal from noise in analyzing winners and losers in bi-lateral trade negotiations between the two countries. With an all-out trade wa…
The Iranian Quagmire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
In Episode 80, Frank jumps right into the tariff fray with a review of the recent 50% tariffs imposed by the United States on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, suggesting that the maneuver is in part designed to eli…
An Early Look at Midterm Elections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:31
In Episode 79, Frank welcomes back his friend and colleague Chris Krueger, Head of Global Macro Research for TD Securities and an expert on Washington politics, to discuss the upcoming US Midterm elections in November. B…
A 24 Hour Geopolitical News Cycle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:14
Episode 77 covers a wide range of topics on the geopolitical landscape including the recent assassination attempt on President Trump, the implications on global energy markets of UAE's decision to exit OPEC and which per…
Trump's Iran Conundrum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:39
In Episode 76, Frank ponders the potential outcomes of the War in Iran and its impact on other global geopolitical events. He believes that despite a wide bid-ask spread in peace negotiations between Iran and the US that…
Tariff Debate Takes Centre Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:37
What if Cuba became a territory of Canada? What if Justice Alito suddenly retired this summer? These are just two of Frank's more provocative thoughts in this month's episode of Geopolitics. Frank also addresses the "mon…
Is Chaos a Distraction? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:23
Two weeks have passed since Frank last spoke to listeners. Since then, it has been chaos in global geopolitical circles, with Frank wondering whether some of this noise is meant to distract from issues the US Administrat…
December Musings and Predictions for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:03
Episode 72 of Geopolitics is a mix of current events and predictions for 2026. Frank discusses the U.S.'s recently released National Security Strategy that some pundits believe is akin to the original Monroe Doctrine pub…
Carney Travels the World While Managing Complex Domestic Agenda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:39
Frank comes out on fire in Episode 71 when questioned on his recent travels to the Middle East, describing the region as hot, and clearly justifying the Prime Minister's recent outreach for partnerships with countries in…