Never a Dull Moment in Washington

Never a Dull Moment in Washington

Author: TD Securities October 21, 2025 Duration: 49:03
In Episode 69, Frank invites Chris Krueger, Strategist with TD Cowen's Washington Research Group, to join the pod to help navigate the fast-moving developments in Washington including the government work stoppage, Canada-US trade negotiations, and the postmortem of President Trump's recent Whitehouse meeting with Ukraine President Zelensky. Frank describes trade negotiations as slogging along given that the two countries have incredibly inter-twined economies, and a complex trade and security relationship. Pipelines are back in the news and Frank weighs the pros and cons of a Keystone restart or pipeline to the Northern BC Coast with continued expansion of existing infrastructure. Chris provides our mostly Canadian audience with a 101 on gerrymandering, and its impact on mid-term elections. The two geopolitical experts finish up discussing the merits of a Nobel Peace Prize for Trump and potential end to the war in Ukraine. This podcast was recorded on October 20, 2025 Chapter Times: 01:31 - Slogging Through Canada-US Trade Negotiations 13:39 - Carney's Balancing Act with Canada's Premiers 17:09 - Setting the Record Straight on Tariff Revenues 22:20 - Pipelines Back in the News in Canada 29:07 - Explaining Washington's Work Stoppage 33:53 - Is Stellantis's Brampton Plant Closure the Canary? 38:33 - Gerrymandering Gone Wild 43:41 - Peace Negotiations in Middle East and Ukraine

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
A Turning Point in the War in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:39
In this episode, Frank discusses the very active calendar of events in the War in Ukraine, Trump's wins and losses in the primaries and the courts respectively, along with recent developments in China as relations with t…
Frank's 2024 Geopolitical Predictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
Back by popular demand, in Episode 48 Frank returns to the predictions game on 10 geopolitical topics important in Canada, the US and around the world in 2024. Topics covered in this predictions episode cover a wide rang…
Ottawa Fighting Battles on Several Flanks in Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
In our last episode before the calendar turns to 2024, the conversation begins in Israel where Prime Minister Netanyahu struggles to maintain support for his war against Hamas. Next, we shift to Russia, where President P…
The Political Pendulum Shifts Right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:41
Episode 46 covers a lot of geography. We start with a review of recent victories by right wing leaders in Argentina and Netherlands, which Frank believes is part of the natural pendulum swinging opposite incumbent center…
The Washington Circus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:19
Episode 45 comes at you straight from TD's 24th Annual Portfolio Management and Market Structure Conference, held November 2nd. Frank is joined on stage by Chris Krueger of TD Cowen's Washington Research Group for a pane…
Unpacking Canada's Diplomatic Row with India [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
Frank McKenna, a proud Canadian, shows his true passion for Canada in Episode 44 first defending Canada in its diplomatic dispute with India over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar a Canadian Member of the Sikh diaspora…
More of the Same [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:50
Episode 43 is entitled "More of the Same" because Frank returns to common threads from previous episodes namely Trudeau, climate, immigration, war, and Trump. Frank discusses recent meetings with members of the Prime Min…
The Not So Summer Doldrums [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:28
In Episode 42, Frank checks in from his summer location in New Brunswick for a wide ranging discussion on a busy geopolitical calendar. We start close to home with a recap of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's recent s…
Breaking Down a Russian Coup Attempt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:43
In Episode 41, Frank breaks down the startling developments that unfolded in Russia over the weekend, with the mercenary Russian army known as the Wagner Group apparently turning on President Putin and leading to a near…