Donald Trump responded to a question about a potential MLB lockout by saying 'nobody cares', making headlines as baseball faces uncertainty over its labour deal

Donald Trump has issued a blunt response to a reporter's question about a potential Major League Baseball lockout.

MLB's collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association expires on December 1, with a lockout widely expected if the two sides fail to reach a new deal. The introduction of a salary cap remains the main sticking point, with the league pushing for the measure while the union has firmly opposed any system that limits team payrolls.

The debate has intensified following the Los Angeles Dodgers' back-to-back World Series titles, achieved with one of baseball's highest payrolls. However, the Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, setting up a World Series between the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, two teams known for operating on more modest budgets.

With a potential MLB lockout looming and two small-market teams competing in the World Series, Trump was asked about the situation on Tuesday.

"So there's a looming lockout coming in Major League Baseball, as you know," the reporter said, to which Trump replied: "I think it will. That is going to happen."

However, when the reporter pointed out that both World Series teams rank among MLB's lower-spending clubs, Trump pushed back against the suggestion. "Okay, let's do it another time. Nobody cares," the president added.

Trump has previously made his stance on MLB's labor dispute clear, repeatedly calling for the league to introduce a salary cap. In June, he argued that the sport should have implemented one "a long time ago."

"If you don't have a salary cap, you don't have a sport. Because they can't help themselves. You know, in sports they can't help themselves," Trump said at the time. "They should have done it a long time ago."

A lockout is a work stoppage that freezes communication between MLB and the MLBPA until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is reached. All player activity is halted, meaning trades and free-agent signings are prohibited. Players are also barred from communicating with team personnel, including coaches and medical staff.

In a memo to league employees this week, MLB outlined how club owners and executives should operate during a potential lockout. The guidance reportedly advised against sending holiday cards to players, although executives can still attend their weddings.

A lockout typically ends once a new CBA is agreed upon, voted on and ratified by the union. When the previous agreement expired on December 1, 2021, MLB imposed a lockout that triggered the sport's first work stoppage in more than 25 years.

After 99 days of tense negotiations, MLB and the MLBPA reached a new agreement on March 10, 2022. The deal sparked a flurry of activity as teams were finally able to sign free agents and complete trades to strengthen their rosters ahead of the season.