Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday challenged U.S. President Donald Trump to a friendly wager on the upcoming World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers — but said the president has yet to respond.
“I think he’s afraid to make a bet,” Carney joked to The Associated Press while watching batting practice at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, a day before Game 1 of the series.
“He doesn’t like to lose. He hasn’t called. He hasn’t returned my call yet on the bet, so I’m ready. We’re ready to make a bet with the U.S.”
Newsweek has reached out to the White House and the Canadian Prime Minister’s office via email on Thursday evening for comment.
Why It Matters
The Blue Jays’ postseason run comes as many Canadians are feeling a deep sense of betrayal following Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada could become “the 51st state.” The lighthearted challenge also comes against a backdrop of lingering trade tensions between the two countries.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider as he visits the Blue Jays during baseball’s World Series media…
What To Know
The Toronto Blue Jays, making their first trip to the World Series since winning back-to-back in 1992 and 1993, will host the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in Game 1. Carney predicted the Blue Jays would win the best-of-seven series in six games.
Unlike hockey — Canada’s national pastime, with several homegrown teams — baseball offers just one major league club for the country’s 41 million people to rally behind.
During an NHL game in Calgary, Alberta, more than 2,000 miles west of Toronto, the arena erupted in cheers when the public address announcer informed fans that Blue Jays outfielder George Springer had hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning against Seattle.
“This country is so pumped. I think the world is so pumped for this series,” he said, pointing to global interest driven in part by Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Tensions between the neighboring allies have eased slightly in recent months as Carney works toward a new trade deal, but U.S. tariffs continue to strain the relationship. One of the world’s strongest and longest-standing alliances — built on geography, shared history and mutual interests — remains deeply fractured.
Many Canadians have begun boycotting American goods and travel since the Trump administration started targeting Canada with tariffs and heated rhetoric, including Trump’s remarks that Canada could become “the 51st state.”
When Carney was in the Oval Office this month Trump was asked about a 23% decline in cross border visits to the U.S.
“The people of Canada, they will love us again,” Trump predicted.
“It’s not bad. They’ll come back,” Carney told Trump.
Carney then took the opportunity to brag about the Blue Jays.
“We’re coming down for the World Series Mr. President,” Carney said.
“By the way they are looking pretty good,” Trump said of the Blue Jays.
Canadians have stopped booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events in recent months, a stark contrast to earlier in the year when fans jeered during hockey and basketball games after Trump’s threats against Canada.
When Canada beat the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament in February, the matchup became as much about politics and patriotism as it was about the sport, with tensions flaring over anthems and talk of annexation.
What People Are Saying
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, a New Jersey native, said he feels more Canadian than American these days: “It’s such a fulfilling job because you have an entire country hanging on every pitch. I feel it, too. I feel like I’m more Canadian. I love drinking beer, I like drinking Tim Horton’s. I’m one of them. To have every one from coast to coast be part of this is something that is truly, truly special.”
Springer, who is from Connecticut but is in his fifth season with the Jays, said: “So happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.”
What Happens Next
Game 1 of the World Series is Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. The World Series will be televised on FOX in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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