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Two Blocks from the White House

CBC

American politics, Canadian context. Every Wednesday, CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry sit down to talk through the big stories in the U.S. — and to answer the question: what does this mean for Canada? It's unscripted, smart analysis from reporters with a foot in both countries, and a press pass to the White House.

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Wednesday · 30 min
Is a Democratic blue wave inevitable in the U.S.?
According to the polls, the Democrats are poised to take back both the House and the Senate in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections — a prospect that would have seemed improbable a year ago. But the polls have been wrong before. While Donald Trump's approval ratings have hit an all-time low, a lot can change for the Republican Party between now and Nov. 3. Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter take a look at where the midterm races are heating up, what's at stake
September 23 · 28 min
Does Donald Trump want to have allies?
Perhaps, but they're not the same ones that the U.S. has historically aligned with. While addressing global leaders at the UN, Trump said he could either make a deal with Iran or "annihilate the Islamic Republic." He signed a security deal with Greenland, after threatening to seize the territory for months. He also rejected international calls for oversight of AI, as he prepares to host Chinese President Xi Jinping. As Trump forges his own brand of diplomacy, Washington correspondents Ka
September 16 · 32 min
Will Canada's risky trade stance pay off?
Canada is the only country that walked away from a trade deal with the U.S. when the terms didn't feel right. There has been widespread support at home, but Canadians have yet to feel the full economic impact of the Trump administration's tariffs. As Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to cushion the blow by pitching Canada to global business leaders and Europe, guest host Catherine Cullen joins Washington correspondents Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter to look at the risks Carney is taking.
September 9 · 28 min
Back at it: What's next for tariffs, Iran and the midterms
There has been no shortage of news coming out of the White House this summer, and things are about to ramp up even more. From the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S., to the war in Iran and midterm elections in November, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter are back together to give you the lowdown on what to expect in the next few months.
September 2 · 29 min
Trade war reality check: Do Americans even care?
From boycotting U.S. products, to avoiding travel across the border, to political trash talk – the mood in Canada in relation to the U.S. is definitely "elbows up" these days. But have Americans even noticed they’re in a trade war with Canada? CBC's Washington correspondents Katie Nicholson and Louis Blouin join host Willy Lowry to unpack what they heard in Ohio and Iowa about the escalating tariffs and counter-tariffs, and how Americans feel it could impact their lives and their votes.
August 26 · 35 min
How ugly will this trade war get?
Days after walking away from trade talks with the U.S., Canada has hit back with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on American goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he cut off negotiations because Washington's terms could wipe out major Canadian industries like auto, steel and aluminum. As things start to get ugly, Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter dig into how bad this trade war is going to get, and what it would take to bring both sides back to the table.
August 19 · 37 min
Understanding the rise of ‘democratic socialism’ from Front Burner
Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on. Recently, in the U.S., there’s been a wave of self described democratic socialists running for and winning elected office. So what exactly is democratic socialism? How does it differ from socialism, comm
August 12 · 29 min
As progressives win U.S. primaries, what’s the direction of the Democratic Party?
Abdul El-Sayed's recent win in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is being hailed as a major victory for the party's progressive wing. The former public health official's campaign took on the party establishment with a much smaller budget and a considerably more left-of-centre platform than his opponent. But as other Democratic socialist and leftist candidates win primaries, some political watchers aren't convinced they'll lead to victory in this fall's midterm elections. We’re asking: What
August 5 · 28 min
Trump’s push to rewrite U.S. history. Literally.
It’s said ‘history is written by the victors,’ but what if the victor is U.S. President Donald Trump?A new executive order is calling for signs to be installed outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History warning visitors about “inaccuracies” in the exhibit – the latest move by the Trump administration to rewrite how history is explained in public institutions. Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and guest host Jayme Poisson take a look
July 29 · 31 min
Why can’t Trump leave Canada alone?
Listening to U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada can’t do anything right these days. From the costs for the Gordie Howe bridge to wildfire smoke to a new round of tariffs, the relationship between the two countries is under renewed scrutiny from the president and U.S. lawmakers. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley dig into what might be fuelling this ramped-up focus on Canada, and what it might take to turn the page.
July 22 · 32 min
Why is Trump threatening Canada with new 50% tariffs?
The U.S. trade war with Canada escalated on Monday when President Donald Trump announced that his administration would be imposing new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports in 30 days' time. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley explain everything we know about these new tariffs and ask what they mean for the strained U.S.-Canada relationship.
July 15 · 32 min
What’s going on with the U.S. Senate right now?
Three major news stories about the U.S. Senate are sparking questions about the upcoming fall midterms. Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry discuss the death of Republican Lindsey Graham, the ongoing absence of Republican Mitch McConnell and the campaign collapse of Democratic senate candidate Graham Platner.
July 8 · 30 min
How Trump made $2.2B US in his 1st year back in office
U.S. President Donald Trump earned at least $2.2 billion US in his first year back in the White House in 2025. American historians say no previous sitting president has ever earned quite as much, so what ethical questions does this level of presidential profit raise? This week, Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and guest host Katie Nicholson explore how Trump made money in crypto, how it compares to past presidents’ earnings and how much it matters in the end to voters.
July 1 · 25 min
The CUSMA review deadline is here. What now?
Canada Day marks an important deadline for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The trilateral trade deal is up for a mandatory review this year. While Canada and Mexico would like to extend it for 16 more years, it’s not clear what the Trump administration will do. With so much at stake economically, there’s no shortage of anxiety. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Paul Hunter and guest host Peter Armstrong ask: What happens after the July 1 deadline?  Note: this epis
June 24 · 32 min
How far will the U.S. Supreme Court allow Trump to go?
America’s top court is set to deliver decisions on more than a dozen major cases in the coming days. And with rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes and the Federal Reserve on the docket, there’s a lot at stake as the U.S. president’s agenda is tested by the justice system. This week, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter ask: How far will the Supreme Court allow Donald Trump to go?
June 17 · 30 min
MAGA coalition check-in: From Christian conservative women to young men
With a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war on the table, this week we're checking in on some key parts of the MAGA coalition, from conservative women at Turning Point USA Women’s Leadership Summit to the mostly male crowd at U.S. President Donald Trump’s UFC birthday bash at the White House.   To hold onto power, the Republicans will need Christian women and young men to come out for the U.S. midterm elections. Washington correspondents Katie S
June 10 · 26 min
Trump takes aim at sports, from the World Cup to NBA finals
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this week. With Canada, Mexico and the United States co-hosting, America and Israel at war with Iran, plus midterm elections around the corner, it's an undeniably political world event. In this episode, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dive into the politics of sport and ask: Can Trump ride the World Cup wave?
June 3 · 28 min
America's 250th birthday: From Vanilla Ice to a UFC White House fight
It’s the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, and so far planned celebrations range from a UFC fight at the White House to a concert series featuring 90s rapper Vanilla Ice. But with musical acts dropping out citing polarization, tension over the ongoing Iran war and sky-high gas prices, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: How do you have a birthday party if no one’s in the mood to celebrate?
May 27 · 32 min
Will Donald Trump's revenge tour backfire?
From a $1.8 billion US fund for Donald Trump allies, which some critics call a 'MAGA slush fund', to retribution for Republicans who have spoken out against him, the U.S. president is pushing his personal agenda amid declining approval ratings and with the midterm elections right around the corner. This week on Two Blocks from the White House, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Louis Blouin ask: How far can Donald Trump go before paying the political pri
May 20 · 29 min
What Stephen Colbert’s cancellation says about Trump’s America
The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs this week. It’s being called the end of an era, and some critics say the cancellation of the iconic late night talk show represents a broader attack on dissent during Donald Trump’s second administration. This week Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: What, if anything, does Colbert’s cancellation say about the state of free speech in Trump’s America?

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