The Munk Debates Podcast

For 72-hour advanced access to the full-length editions of Munk Dialogues with Andrew Coyne consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $50 annually, or $1.00 per episode. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Rudyard and Andrew react to the fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against Trump's tariffs and the President's angry response. How will Trump being denied this authority affect upcoming CUSMA negotiations? Andrew suggests we should expect to see demands from the Trump administration that go far beyond the traditional trade grievances. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Andrew turn to AI and how this new technology will displace white collar jobs. What kind of policy response should we expect from the government in Ottawa? Andrew is more optimistic that this will not be as upending as some are predicting; the history of technological change suggests it will take longer than people suspect for AI to be adopted. There will be jobs lost, but will there be new jobs created? And finally, given that this is a global action program, and we cannot silo ourselves off from the United States and China, what can the Canadian government do to reduce the risk to our economy?

A tense U.S.–Iran standoff and the recent American military build-up near Iran take center stage. They explore Iran's refusal to yield on enrichment and missile demands and debate legal and practical limits of peaceful nuclear activities. The conversation questions whether brief strikes can become sustained conflict and considers global backers and political pressures shaping any U.S. response.

Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. This week, the U.S. President became a troll under a bridge, we learned AI is coming for our jobs, and America could be headed towards war with Iran. But amidst it all, a big story in Minnesota did not get the coverage it deserves: in a major retreat, the Trump administration is withdrawing significant numbers of ICE agents from the area. This story shows the importance of local people on the ground organizing and recording unseemly and unlawful behaviour for the public. Meanwhile there are musings that the President is considering pulling out of CUSMA negotiations as relations with Canada continue to decline and his behaviour gets more erratic. What will happen if he loses in the midterms? A defanged Trump is a more dangerous president than the version we are currently witnessing. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the likelihood of the Liberals calling a spring election to seize on high poll numbers, presenting their case to Canadians as needing a national mandate as they enter into tough CUSMA negotiations. Rudyard and Janice suggest, however, that there is more going on behind the scenes that is driving Canada towards a snap election.

Andrew Coyne, noted Canadian political columnist, weighs in on Trump’s claim to the Gordie Howe Bridge and its wider meaning for U.S.-Canada relations. He discusses Trump’s delegitimizing rhetoric and the risks of bargaining away sovereignty. They also debate rumours of a spring election and strategic motives behind a snap vote.

They debate whether to accept a nuclear pause with Iran and the political math pushing a U.S. decision. They unpack talks in Oman, regional leverage, and how missiles fit into any deal. Then they explore a massive software selloff after new AI bots and what that signals for white collar job displacement and markets.

Andrew Coyne, Globe and Mail columnist and bestselling author known for sharp commentary on Canadian politics, tackles Alberta separatism and foreign meddling. He discusses U.S. involvement and referendum risks. He outlines a new Canadian security agenda: democratic reform, economic integration, and resilience beyond the military. He frames crisis as an opportunity to rebuild national unity and institutions.

They debate the dangerous U.S. naval buildup near Iran and whether military force is likely or what targets might be struck. They explore mediation efforts by regional powers and the risks of regime change and regional retaliation. They also discuss trade strategy for North America, including talk of a customs union and potential political fallout for Canadian provinces.

Andrew Coyne, Canadian political journalist known for sharp long-form analysis. He dissects the Minnesota ICE killing and why such operations aim to provoke fear. He unpacks White House damage control and the limits of any policy U-turn. He also discusses Mark Carney’s Davos warnings and why Canada sits at the centre of a wider geopolitical crisis.

They unpack Trump's Greenland stunt, his abrupt retreat, and whether markets and NATO pressure forced the U-turn. They debate Mark Carney's Davos pitch and what concrete Canadian policies could follow. They explore a convincing AI deepfake of a public figure and the risks when synthetic media blurs reality and fuels foreign influence.

Andrew Coyne, a sharp political commentator for The Globe and Mail, dives into President Trump's controversial stance on Greenland. He highlights the alarming implications of Trump's potential aggression toward a NATO ally. Coyne argues that Europe must send troops to Greenland to deter such threats and discusses Canada's complicated position between the US and Russia. He questions whether NATO is nearing collapse while suggesting a new alliance of democracies could emerge. The discussion also touches on the trust issues stemming from Trump's actions.