Geopolitics with Frank McKenna

• December Musings and Predictions for 2026

  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 published following the American Revolution that aimed to establish U.S. dominance over the Western Hemisphere.  After praising outgoing Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman on her retirement announcement, Frank provides advice to the next person in the foxhole for Canada in Washington. He discusses the continued aisle crossings in Ottawa pushing the Liberals near to a majority and reminds listeners that the practice is nothing new in Canada. Before getting to his 2026 predictions, Frank weighs in again on the MTG vs Trump saga and finally whether Indiana's rebuttal of President Trump means the end of gerrymandering…for now. In terms of predictions, you won't want to miss his thoughts on the future of CUSMA, the Trans Mountain Pipeline, the War in Ukraine, and the Mid-term elections in Washington. This podcast was recorded on December 15, 2025 Chapter Headings: 00:43 - The Monroe Doctrine 2.007:52 - Advice for the Incoming Ambassador in Washington12:18 - Another MP Crosses the Aisle17:12 - MTG Questions Whether Trump is America First23:09 - The End of Gerrymandering…for Now26:14 - 2026 Predictions For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Carney Travels the World While Managing Complex Domestic Agenda

  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 the region. He summarizes thoughts on the recent COP 30 and the G20 Summits, as well as trade negotiations with the US and he highlights a sleeper issue in Canada, which is the growing popularity of a separatist party in Quebec with a mandate to vote for separation. He finishes with thoughts on political meddling allegations, Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation, and other hot topics in Washington. This podcast was recorded on November 26, 2025 Chapter Headings: 03:41    Ukraine Peace Plan Makes Progress – Why Now?08:31    Is COP 30 Past its Best Before Date?13:33    The BC Pipeline Debate24:04    Quebec Separation Chatter26:26    Trade Negotiations and Political Meddling39:10    Is Marjorie Taylor Greene's Resignation a Canary?41:23    Other News in Washington For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Trade Update and Canada's Budget – Rona and Frank Debate

  Episode 70 of Geopolitics is a bonus episode taken from a panel at our recent Portfolio Management and Market Structure Conference. Frank McKenna is joined by his TD colleague The Honorable Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities, and former leader of the Conservative Party in Canada, for a discussion that includes the on again off again trade negotiations between Canada and the US and a review of last week's budget in Canada. While Frank admits the budget was likely over-hyped and a disappointment, Rona takes direct aim at the fact the incumbent government clearly stated that younger generations will need to suffer and made no attempts to appease the interest of the other parties in parliament with its budget decisions. Frank admits he still does not know what Trump's end goal in trade negotiations with Canada is but believes the end deal between the two countries is likely to be much narrower than anticipated originally.    This podcast was recorded on November 6, 2025 Chapter Times: 02:09 - Trump's Real Motivation for Suspending Trade Negotiations20:33 - The View Inside the Republican Party on Trade23:09 - Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Trump's Use of IEEPA28:14 - Signals from Off Cycle US Elections34:54 - Gerrymandering41:07 - First Take on Canada's Budget For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Never a Dull Moment in Washington

  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 Negotiations13:39 - Carney's Balancing Act with Canada's Premiers17:09 - Setting the Record Straight on Tariff Revenues22:20 - Pipelines Back in the News in Canada29:07 - Explaining Washington's Work Stoppage33:53 - Is Stellantis's Brampton Plant Closure the Canary?38:33 - Gerrymandering Gone Wild43:41 - Peace Negotiations in Middle East and Ukraine  For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Franks Funk

  Frank comes to the September podcast taping in a somber mood, strange for someone who prides himself as the eternal optimist.  What has Frank in a mood? Well, he lists several issues with the current US Administration that has him questioning the United States's position as leader of the free world. Meanwhile he is very concerned about the prospect Trump triggers the shotgun clause on CUSMA wiping out the existing agreement, a possibility allowed under Article 34.6 of the Agreement. Hence the need for Canada's Prime Minister Carney to continue to strengthen trading relationships outside of the US such as was evidenced with his recent meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Frank likes the appointment of Dawn Farrell to head the Major Projects Office and is bullish on the prospects that the one project, one review, one decision two-year time frame for Major Projects is realistic. Frank provides his thoughts on free speech in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination and on Putin's addiction to War. Finally, Frank cracked his familiar smile again when talking about his beloved Blue Jays as we do at the end of every podcast. This podcast was recorded on September 23, 2025 at 6 pm EST Chapter Headings:00:52 Frank's Somber Mood Towards Canada-US Relations06:33 Will Trump Renegotiate or Blow-Up CUSMA?20:50 Carney Branches Out Trading Relationships23:09 Dawn Farrell and Canada's Five Major Infrastructure Projects28:58 Canada Joins Other G7 Countries in Recognizing Palestinian State34:33 The Polarized US Political Landscape41:26 Putin's Addiction to War For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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