Transcripts For BBCNEWS 100 Days 20170530

Im katty kay in washington. Christian fraser is off. Its not entirely clear why relations between germany and america have deteriorated so fast this week, but theres no doubt they have. Both Angela Merkel and donald trump today continued their war of words. For the american president , that meant taking to twitter. We have a massive Trade Deficit with germany, plus they pay far less than they should on nato military very bad for us this will change. The German Foreign minister wistfully suggested it isnt helpful for the two countries to be communicating with tweets but his chancellor restated her view that europe now has to look out for itself. Translation transatlantic ties are of paramount importance to us. The only thing i did was to say that the Current Situation gives more reasons for us in europe to take our destiny in ourown for us in europe to take our destiny in our own hands. So what is germany and the rest of europe making of the apparent us german row. Joining me from brussels is elmar brok he is a german politician and member of the european parliament. Whose fault is this row . Thank you for calling me. Do you put the fault with Angela Merkel or donald trump that relationships have got so bad between them this week . We have to see that the american president has made accusations with no serious grounds. This is not a way to deal with partners. And it shows there is no reliability any more and i think thatis no reliability any more and i think that is another reason that we have to work with america, that donald trump is not all of america. That the United States and nato are important for the collective defence of europe but we must also look to oui of europe but we must also look to our own interests and own safeguards. The europeans do the job better. We complete the internal market is to strengthen economic and monetary union. If we strengthen friends again and have our own defence policy. That also makes nato better. Strengthen france. Defence policy. That also makes nato better. Strengthen france. You know Angela Merkel very well and you are know Angela Merkel very well and you a re close know Angela Merkel very well and you are close friend of hers. She is not are close friend of hers. She is not a who usually is prone to being quite so outspoken as she has about the relationship with america this week. What specifically did you think pushed her to say the things that she has said. Was it the manner of President Trump at the g 7 meeting and during his trip to europe or specific policies . M might bea europe or specific policies . M might be a mixture. I was not sitting next to them in those meetings but also there are questions to do with Climate Change in which Angela Merkel is very much interested. If there is nojoint policy on Climate Change we cannot solve problems in africa, and fighting terrorism and have a solution to migration, if we have no understanding of International Trade relations. We have to see that bmw sells more cars outside the United States spent to them. And these are crucial things that are not known. Soi crucial things that are not known. So i think that is a problem if it is repeated and repeated. You said donald trump has made false accusations about germany. Are you referring to his tweet this morning about the Trade Deficit . With the Trade Deficit he mentioned cars and thatis Trade Deficit he mentioned cars and that is true. But bmw and other german car makers make so many cards in the United States. Bmw sells more from the United States then in germany and sent to the United States. Such things are not known. But there are other questions, what is the Trade Deficit between california and european countries. We talk about microsoft and all those businesses. I think it is more complicated to look in one branch of business and make that an example for everything. I think it is much more complicated. If you assemble a parts come from for five different countries. What is the country where you have to ask that has a trade surplus. It is so complicated and if thatis surplus. It is so complicated and if that is destroyed, it means there will be a loss of economic success for all of us. We will all lose. And we need openness from the United States and if we do not find a solution to these questions the chinese will be the winners. And that cannot be in the american interests. Thank you very much. President trump is not wrong when he says theres a Trade Deficit with germany. But how much it is it . Germany exports 114 Billion Dollars worth of goods to the United States. While the us exportjust 49 Billion Dollars worth to germany. Thats a Trade Deficit for america of 65 billion dollars. A lot of the trade comes from pharmaceuticals and cars. And a lot of those german cars are actually built in america. German car makers employ 33 thousand people in the us. And 77,000 more us workers are employed by german automotive suppliers. By the way bmws largest factory in the world is in south carolina. Ron christie is with me. And your first car came from that factory. From south carolina. Talking about the Trade Deficit, donald trump is angry about this and there is a Trade Deficit with germany and many other countries have complained about germany and their trade policies. Is this some fault on both sides . I think there is fault on both sides but this is not how you do diplomacy, not through twitter. If the president of the us has a row with Angela Merkel i think they have a telephone and they should use that. They had a great opportunity at the g 7 last week to iron out some differences. The former president obama had a great relationship with Angela Merkel and we saw them together at the brandenburg gate. They have warm relations. So President Trump wants to find a way to reduce some of the iows we to find a way to reduce some of the rows we have with foreign allies, the way to do that is through personal diplomacy. Many questions about how he is creating a row with germany and perhaps moscow could benefit. And sitting in the kremlin as Vladimir Putin today, i would be enjoying every moment of that. Senatorjohn mccain certainly seems to think the russia issue is something to be concerned about. Hes told Abc Australia that russian president Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to World Security than the Islamic State group, i think he is the premier and most important threat, more so than Islamic State. I think isis can do terrible things and i worry a lot about what is happening with the muslim faith. I worry about a lot of things about that. But it is the russians who are trying, who tried to destroy the very fundamental democracy and that is to change the outcome of an american election. And for more on the investigations into russian interference we are joined now by james woolsey, who formerly served as the director of central intelligence. Do you agree with Senatorjohn Mccain that the real concern and real threat at the moment for the United States National Security is not so much Islamic State but russia . I would say iran and north korea and russia. Iran and north korea and russia. Iran and north korea both have strong elements of instability about them and ideology, who knows what the ideology is for north korea. Iran it is islamist terrorism. And that is a very serious problem. Russia, were used to dealing with, we fought a cold war against them for several decades and more or less prevail. And several times we almost came to nuclear war. But we got through it and part of that was because russia has a certain element of stability about it in spite of its habit of wanting to capture its neighbours and whenever it is bordered seems to wa nt to and whenever it is bordered seems to want to grab a neighbour. And that is not a good thing from our point of view. I think it lost a lot at the end of the cold war and might wa nt to the end of the cold war and might want to get them back again for the President Putin reiterated his claim today that allegations that assad had used Chemical Weapons Werejust that, allegations and put out as It Distractions western powers could put pressure on the syrian government. It is almost a good example in the midst of these russian investigations, of the kind of reality were dealing with with with President Putin. Russians have a propensity for disinformation which is not just a propensity for disinformation which is Notjust Misinformation but a total and complete plan for constructing lies about almost everything. And their approach to oui everything. And their approach to our elections, and german elections, elections in eastern europe, has for decades been to distract democracy. That is what russia does. It is not an exception but what is different is cyber war, you can do it in a lot of ways you could not before. You did at one stage advised the Donald Trump Campaign, how concerned are you about all of these reports and the investigations into links, possible links between the Donald Trump Campaign and must go and what that could mean for america . Trump Campaign and must go and what that could mean for america . I think a lot of that is overblown. We have had informal back door contacts with Foreign Countries including some that were front and centre enemies for decades. And other countries do that as well. Often historically theyve used intelligence chiefs to make private visits to another country and conduct negotiations. Here are sometimes they have and sometimes not. But i think a lot of this is really overblown. And people ought to calm down for a while and get theirfacts ought to calm down for a while and get their facts sorted out. Then we can see whether they should be upset oi can see whether they should be upset or not. My question picks up on what we said a moment ago, so much of what we have heard, misinformation, about the russians, has come through leaks. I wonder having run the cia, how much of an impact does this have on our how much of an impact does this have on our ability to collect intelligence and also, more importantly, these crimes being committed, can the cia and intelligence gathering operations find these individuals looking this information . Unless it is coming from someone in the cia which seems unlikely, these links are the business of the fbi and Law Enforcement. The cia does not investigate americans to find out who is leaking what. But i think the lea ks who is leaking what. But i think the leaks themselves are extremely damaging to the country. Theyre verging on treason. And i think we need to let the fbi and other parts of Law Enforcement in the country do everything they can to find at least a few of the people doing this and prosecute them and have them punished severely. Because people now figured they go to lunch with a journalist and why not talk about what i heard yesterday in the office. Thank you very much. And clearly those lea ks office. Thank you very much. And clearly those leaks caused many problems between america and britain after the manchester bombing. Alleged us ties to russia have barely been out of the headlines since donald trump took over as president almost four months ago. Thats also how long his Top Communications guy will be in hisjob. Thats mike dubke who you may well never have heard, but dont worry you dont need to get to know him because hes just resigned. Mr dubke who had the official title of White House Communications director offered his resignation earlier this month but said hed stay on during President Trumps recent trip abroad. Is this the beginning of the great white house staff shake up . M is this the beginning of the great white house staff shakeup . It could be. When i worked there are Chief Of Staff used as they use over the pleasure of the president for the time being. And both the privilege and the time being could end more quickly than you want. That is what were seeing here. Interesting that it is the Communications Director suggesting that the white house or the president thinks he has a Communications Problem and not an issue problem. Absolutely, white house staff are to be seen and not heard. We hear all the time about this allegation, and it is not good for the agenda of the president. We need to focus on what his policies are. That might not be the fault of the communications or of mike dubke. That could be the fault of numerous people within the white house again looking to reporters and talking to them and a general sense of dissatisfaction of staff. The linking is coming from the staff and this white house, or they do is link something to the press. Ultimately the Communications Director must manage the internal process and say stop this, we are not disciplined, were not talking about staff but policies. Sean spicer is at the podium right now and we will go to him shortly. There he is, still in hisjob for the moment. German police have detained a 17 year old syrian suspected of planning a Suicide Attack in berlin. Brandenburg police say the suspect was arrested in the uckermark district. Specialforces raided a home for unaccompanied refugee children after the boy sent a message to his family telling them he had become a jihadist and saying goodbye. Officers are still searching the home where hes thought to have lived since last year. At least 26 people have been killed in two separate Car Bomb Attacks in the iraqi capital baghdad. The first was just after midnight on monday at an Ice Cream Shop in the karrada district as people had broken their ramadan fasts. Hours later the second blast went off a few miles away. The so called Islamic State says it was behind both attacks which targeted gatherings of shia muslims. Police say tiger woods was Asleep At The Wheel of a stationary car, and didnt know where he was when officers woke him near his home in florida on monday. The golfer apologised after being charged with Driving Under The Influence he says he reacted to Prescription Drugs and alcohol wasnt involved. Ariana grande announced today that she will return to manchester on sunday for a Benefit Concert itll be less than two weeks after a Suicide Attack at her show in the city killed 22 people. Shell bejoined byjustin bieber, coldplay, katy perry, miley cyrus to raise money for the families of those who died and were injured at her concert in Manchester Arena. Our correspondent Roger Johnson is in manchester. Ariana grande had made it clear she wa nted Ariana Grande had made it clear she wanted to return to the city after the attack at Manchester Arena last week. In a statement she said she would not let hate win. So on sunday she will bejoined would not let hate win. So on sunday she will be joined by a would not let hate win. So on sunday she will bejoined by a number of International Stars including justin bieber, and coldplay. The proceeds of this concert will go to the one Love Manchester Emergency Fund set up Love Manchester Emergency Fund set up by Love Manchester Emergency Fund set up by Manchester City council and the British Red Cross. The total currently stand for that kind of around £6 million. The British Red Cross today praised the singer and her gesture of solidarity stop the proceeds as i say will go to this fund and tickets for the concert will be on sale on thursday. For anyone who attended the concert at the Manchester Arena there will be no charge. This show will also be broadcast live on Bbc Television and bbc radio as well as Capital Radio and streamed online on the intranet. Earlier today Greater Manchester police had said they had been working with the management of the singer to ensure the benefit gig could take place. Theres nine days to go now until the uks general election. The supporters of the two main parties have both claimed victories after their leaders appeared on a live televised programme. And it was Business As Usual today with both candidates back out on the Campaign Trail trying to build on last nights momentum. Theresa may appeared firm when she outlined her brexit plans. You do not negotiate the right Brexit Dealfor Britain you do not negotiate the right brexit deal for britain from a position of weakness but the position of weakness but the position of weakness but the position of strength. With the Prime Minister 100 committed to the cause and a Strong Majority government with a clear plan to see it through. And you cannot negotiate the right Brexit Dealfor Britain and you cannot negotiate the right brexit deal for britain if you do not have confidence in our strengths and in all that we have to offer either. You can only deliver for britain if you believe in britain. And i do. And that is why i have been clear about my plan for brexit at every stage. But things didnt go quite so well for the opposition leader. Jeremy corbyn announced a new policy on extending Free Childcare for all two to four year olds. But when quizzed by the bbc about how much that would cost the taxpayer he was unable to give an answer. How much will it cost . I will give you the figure in a moment. You do not know . Youre logging your ipad. You have announced a major policy and do not know how much it will cost . Can i give you the figure in a moment . This is the issue with people and the labour party that we cannot trust you with our money. Not at all. You do not know the figure. All our manifesto is fully costed and examined. Youre holding your manifesto, you have ipad and have had a phone call, you do not know how much it is to cost. Can we come back to that in a moment . Our Political Correspondent rob watson joins us live now from cardiff in wales. Everyone seems to thinkJeremy Corbyn had a good night at the debate but was it a problem that he could not enter basic facts are that interview . My favourite verdict on the debate came from a colleague who said everyone was a winner apart from the poor people watching. I think that was a reference to the idea that theresa may had been having a bit of a wobble over the last week or so in terms of the conservative manifesto. Nothing truly terrible happened to her in the debate, she is a bit wooden but she held her own. And expectations we re she held her own. And expectations were quite low forJeremy Corbyn, but again he managed to keep his humourand so in but again he managed to keep his humour and so in that sense everyone felt, the leaders, no one thinks theyre great performers but they did ok. So therefore i think it was a bit disappointing for the Labour Leader and his team to see that he was stumped on how much a key proposal would cost. It reminded me a little of that moment where george bush, the first, did not know how much a pint of milk costs. This slide in the polls, how serious is it for theresa may . I think it is immensely serious. At the start of this election she made the campaign about herself and leadership. The campaign which has been less than stellar, her ratings have gone down by half and perhaps more. Im sorry i must interrupt to give way to sean spicer. He is at the white house. Jared kushner has volunteered to share with congress what he knows about these meetings. Im not going to get into what the president did oi to get into what the president did or not discuss. Your question assumes a lot of facts that are not substantiated by anything but Anonymous Sources being leaked out. Youre asking if he approves of action but that is not a confirmed action. I think Secretary Kelly and general mcmaster have both discussed in general terms back channels that are an appropriate part of diplomacy. Your question presupposes fa ct diplomacy. Your question presupposes fact that have not been confirmed. Did the president , he tweeted an article this morning about that back channel based on a source that said there was an effort to set up a back channel and that it was the russians who suggested that. And it was to talk about syria. What i just said speaks for itself. But you said the article was based on Anonymous Sources. But the president tweeted something also based on Anonymous Sources. So why would that be more credible . I do not think, one issue is that the statement provided by the attorney of Jared Kushner and second, the dossier was largely discredited in the first place. Most publications refused to publish that. So there is an Ongoing Investigation and im not going to get into confirming stuff. First the president for the second time in one month tweeted his desire for the senate to reduce votes to pass anything which would effectively stop the filibuster for legislation as for nominations. Is this something he discussed with the Majority Leader or any of the Senate Leadership . I think the consent he had with the pace of the senate are long standing. The use of the filibuster and rules of the senate are apt to senator mcconnell but he has had some frustration with the pace of legislation and obstructive tactics employed by the democrats. That has been well documented. Sean spicer at the white house. He gave a summary of how the trip had gone and said it had gone well for the president and then he was asked about these russian allegations. He seemed to say he did not have much to say. The little we heard, what i found striking was all this was about twitter. The presence tweeted this, this is the peril of using social media to get out the message. It shows what a mess he has made of his press relations. You think were going to hear more of the president on twitter . Yes. Thank you very much. And you will hear more from the president tomorrow morning when he tweets again. I will see you tomorrow. Quite a bright day right now, most of us have seen a decent start to the day with some rain around in some areas. But not a lot. Here is the satellite picture, it was wetter earlier on in Northern Ireland and western parts of scotland. This crowd will be pushing further north and east. To the south, just a couple of showers and that is pretty much it. So right rather than funny this afternoon with temperatures getting up to around 20 in london. For most of us around 15, 18 celsius. Some rain across parts of northern england. A pleasant afternoon in Northern Ireland and the western isles. Rain across the far north of scotland. Through the course of this evening it is a case of Clearing Skies across many Northern Areas. A pleasant end to the day and to the south of that turning a little bit more cloudy with some mist around the coasts as well. A bit fresher across the north of england. So tomorrow starts off a bit cloudy in the south, on balance i think a fine day on the way when the cloud breaks up. Temperatures around 23 in london and even around 20 across many Northern Areas of the uk. Not much change as far as the afternoon goes and evening tomorrow. Taking a look at the second half of the week, so thursday, no fresher approach is the uk, still quite far away but pushing in in the direction of the north west of the uk so rain in the north west but ahead of that Warmeraircoming Infrom in the north west but ahead of that warmer air coming in from the south. So temperatures will be creeping up temporarily across some southern and south eastern areas in particular. Notice that rain getting into the north west. That is slow moving and by the time we get to friday, fresher weather in the north west, possibly as high as 26 degrees in the south east. So warming up in the south this week, for a little while, fresher further north and some rain from time to time. Enjoy your day. Hello and welcome to the Election Wrap our guide to all the election news of the day, with just over one week to go until voters head to the polls. In the programme, Jeremy Corbyn appears to have been taking Media Coaching from diane abbott. He fails to give the cost of his Free Childcare policy when hes asked for it in an interview on womans hour. Meanwhile, theresa may insists that only she has a plan to make brexit a success. She says an Election Victory for labour would leaveJeremy Corbyn Alone And Naked in the eu negotiating chamber. Also can we take the mood bogside to photos there. Are you only attracted to brexiters