"i am 100% willing to testify." the words of president donald trump repaired to respond undergrowth about his conversations with former fbi director james comey. and dw reporters prepare to take the country's pulls on a nationwide road trip. i'm sarah harmon, welcome to the show. it's good to have you with us. british prime minister theresa may is resisting stepping down and says she will form a minority government after the snap election that she called in hopes of strengthening her mandate. conservatives losing their majority in parliament. she plans to work with northern ireland's democratic unionist party. >> this is hardly the way she imagined things. there were no smiles as may made the traditional journey to buckingham palace for the queens go ahead to form a government. she insist only her conservatives have that mandate. though they will need some help. >> what this country needs more than ever is certainty. having secured the largest number of votes in the greatest number of seats in the general election, it is clear only the conservative and unionist party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty by commanding a majority in the house of commons. >> these are the allies may is relying on. it would give a slender majority. many predict it will be on -- uncomfortable bedfellows. >> i make no apology for saying that the dnp will always strive for the best deal for northern ireland and its deal. >> it is thought the parties will work together vote by vote without a formal coalition. many britons are skeptical. >> we are in another mess again. >> a think it has been a disaster. i can't see her surviving more than a couple of weeks. >> labor leader jeremy corbyn is being treated like a pop star. at labor headquarters in. corbyn is calling for may to step down. >> it was her decision to call the election. it was her name out there. it doesn't look like a strong or stable government. >> certainty, strong and stable government. just days before the brexit negotiations begin. sarah: laura is in london and spoke with the newly reelected labour mp. listen to this. >> welcome. it david, you are the mp with the most votes after this election in this new parliament. congratulations for that. however, do you feel cheated somehow? >> i wish we had one, but we were coming back from a very low base that we lost under in 2015. they said we would lose white working-class votes in the north of england. they said that his agenda would never gain traction in the country. and instead, today, we're on the cusp of taking power because the minority government in british history generally falls very quickly and. theresa may will find it very hard managing the government. but the dnp and the other political party, different interests and different positions. and for that reason, labor needs to remain united. we could be empowered very soon. >> you are playing the long game if i may say so. and in a way, it seems you do have a bit of time. you can sort of sit back and watch theresa may fail. is that what this is about? >> let me say to you that i think two things are possible. that this is the beginning of the end of brexit. that if we do brexit, it will be a soft brexit. i think the desire to leave is not going to be very hard. she asked for a mandate. and the british people last night said no. we are not giving you that mandate so she will have to recalibrate. she will have to change her position. and certainly, this parliament, they are going to be very active in standing up for their constituents. they do not want to see britain exiting the european union without a deal. so this is going to be very tough. but i do feel for someone who campaigned to remain that this is the beginning of the end of this. >> d think there could be something like a change of mind? many people in europe, why are they doing this? maybe they will come to their senses. is there any chance that this could happen? >> we have a via -- a prime minister that will be very unpopular. and the second thing that we have, of course, is the appetite to brexit will change as the economy changes. growth is slow in the british economy. it's always a bad idea to call a general election when growth is just north of 3%. that's another mistake that she made. and for those on the european continent and in germany wondering if we will leave the european union, i think things are going to change. >> that was david with a really interesting prognosis. a time of change for britain, particularly with regard to brexit. the rest of europe will be watching with bated breath. >> what is next is a big question. britt is an -- sarah: eu leaders are urging theresa may to push ahead with the negotiations, saying there is no time to lose. >> there are likely to be tough talks involving huge sums of money. after the snap election in the u.k., it's unclear who will be coming to the heart of europe and when. one of the first politicians to express his views. we're ready for negotiations. we can start tomorrow. we've been waiting for britain's entry into the talks for almost a year. i hope the results of this will have no impact on our negotiation schedule. luxembourg's foreign minister has warned that britain may now be even less willing to compromise. theresa may will be even more dependent on those who want a hard brexit and that won't make it any easier for the eu. for germany's foreign minister, the result sends a signal to the next british government. i think the message to take away is that people want a fair conversation with the eu. and a think if it is a good idea for the u.k. to lead the eu in this way. brexit talks are supposed and by march 2019. not much time for a step the country has never taken before. sarah: a few months from now, germany will be going to the polls. we have a summer before then, so dw thought it was a bad time to put together a special series to take a preview of the issues on the hearts and minds of voters. >> we are taking a trip across germany and we're taking you with us. >> how fair and equal is germany? and what issues matter to you? sarah: and for more, i'm pleased to welcome my colleague. >> you see us and/or develop -- deutsche welle viewers know that she will leave the studio and come on the road trip with me. we're starting next week and will be hitting the road. we will be on the road for six weeks, traveling to try to find out what german voters think about what is moving them and we decided to do that because the whole world is watching germany at the moment. and it is a crucial election. if you look at where other countries are going, a question for the world find out which direction is germany going to take. sarah: a lot at stake. you also brought accessories with you. >> first of all, an empty number plate. we want to engage our viewers and our users in a dialogue. and we want people to name the car that we will be traveling in. we will be traveling with a car that you saw earlier. the big white van. it needs a name because it will be our companion on the road so people can do that online and on facebook and we start of the competition. we will be putting the chosen name on this number plate. sarah: if you're interested in naming the van. i presume they're not allowed to submit a suggestion. >> only under false names. sarah: and don't forget to use #germany decides if you want to get in touch with us. >> we will be tweeting all of our stories. want to take people on a road trip to give them an idea of what germany is like. >> your starting on monday. give us an overview of what we can expect. >> we have one week in every city that we've chosen. we will be starting interest in where we cover how strong is the far right or the right-wing movement in germany. month of countries have problems with right-wing nationalism. we will be traveling south. we be traveling to a small town that became famous in the autumn of 2015 when loss of refugees flocked into germany through austria. and we will be covering this topic of how welcome are the refugees. on the economy, is it prepared for the future. and we will be covering the topic of islam and is germany changing islam? and islam change in germany? we will talk about social equality and fairness. and on to berlin. >> that is quite an ambitious agenda. >> not everyone can do that but if anyone can manage, i know you can. you're watching dw news. yes president donald trump says he would be willing to testify under both that he did not ask james comey to halt the investigation into a top aide or demand a pledge of loyalty from him. that story is coming up after the break. sarah: welcome back. our top story. britain's prime minister says she will form a minority government that will lead the nation through brexit negotiations. conservatives lost their parliamentary a geordie. they do remain the largest party in parliament. u.s. president donald trump is completely willing to testify under of about his conversations with james comey. that is the fbi director trump fired back in may. trump is disputed claims comey made during a public senate intelligence committee hearing yesterday. the former fbi chief told hearing the trump lied about him and tried to defame his tenure at the fbi. comey told lawmakers he helped pass records of his conversations with the president to a newspaper. trump responded during comments at a white house press conference in the rose garden. the president was asked whether he told the fired fbi director to and an investigation into links between russia and trumps security advisor michael flynn. president trump: i did not say that. >> he lied about that? >> i will tell you i didn't say that. and it be nothing wrong if i did say it according to everybody of red today but i did not say that. >> did he ask for a pledge of loyalty from you? >> he said those things under both. would you be willing to speak under to give your version? president trump: 100%. i hardly know the man. i'm not quite to say i want you to pledge allegiance. who would do that? who would ask amanda pledge allegiance under of? i hardly know the man. it doesn't make sense. i did not say that and i didn't say the other. >> if robert mueller wanted to speak with you about that? >> you seem to be hinting there are recordings. >> i'm not hinting anything i will tell you about it over a short. of time. >> let's pull in our washington correspondent? per trump say he's 100% willing to testify under of about the comey meeting. is there a chance of that actually happening? >> the testimony yesterday gave a lot of ammunition to people looking to make a case for obstruction of justice. and if such a case were to be presented, it would necessitate the president testifying but it is not quite there yet. it certainly is noteworthy to see that republicans which had previously and -- previously been closing ranks were much more hesitant to do so after the testimony yesterday which was very damning. sarah: we heard democrat leader nancy pelosi speaking out. >> that the president would even ask him for is loyalty is something so far beyond the pale. he's not the president's appointee. i think he abused power. there's no question. whether he obstructed justice remains for the fax to come forward. and that's what we want, and i hope the republican colleagues all not stand in the way of getting the fax. sarah: what about trump's own party? how much a republican standing behind him at this point? >> we have not heard a lot coming from the republican side. there have been very few official statements released after the hearings yesterday. the only one high-ranking member we've heard from his paul ryan, the house speaker. his excuse for the president was basically, well, he's new at this. so cut him a break. when that is your defense of the president, it doesn't make your party or your president look very good. we haven't heard much from the republican side and even a lot of the prominent republican thinkers in the right-wing media have been saying that this doesn't bode well for the president. sarah: during the rose garden press conference, trump also did something else. the mutual defense clause. tell us about the significance of that? >> we have to think back to his brussels trip when he gave a speech to nato and refused to endorse article five even though it was in his speech. we learned later it was in his speech and he refused to say it. and now here he is coming out sitting next to an eu leaders saying of course a support article five. it is sort of indicative of the very capricious way in which this president chooses to conduct policy. he doesn't say he's for article five and now he says he is. it makes for a very unstable partnership because he says one thing one time and says something else another time. it is unlikely to change a lot of minds. >> keeping the washington -- thank you for your comments. a next, we have been with the business and a bit of a mexican hat dance. >> a courtship between mexico and germany. both targets of donald trump's tweet attacks. the u.s. president accuses the ex parte heavyweights of taking advantage of their trade positions. mexico has received the most fear he and is actively courting other partners. it's keen to deepen ties with germany. the automakers have plans the re. that's partly under nafta which trump wants to renegotiate. along with chemicals and electronics, a relationship worth $17.8 billion. it is visiting mexico city today and the mexicans love her. she stood up to trump last month. >> the times of being able to fully rely on others are others to some extent. that is something i have experienced in the last few days. we europeans must take our fate into our own hands. of course, in friendship with the united states of america, britain, and where possible, good neighbors to other countries. and we need to realize it's up to us to fight for the future for our own destiny. that is what i want to do together. >> angela merkel there and let's go to new york, germany needs mexico. they both need the u.s. at the end of the day. what is unfolding here? >> mexico and germany and replace trade with the u.s. with each other. yes, germany is the biggest trading partner for mexico. if you look at the numbers, trade between germany and mexico is roughly $18 billion. trade between mexico and the u.s. is roughly $500 billion. you can't really compare the two and we shouldn't forget the biggest part of the trade deficit that the u.s. is having, they do not have that with germany or mexico, but mostly with china. there's no reason not to talk to each other and mexico and germany can strengthen relationships. and maybe think about doing more. >> what are companies saying about the u.s. pulling back? >> protectionism and immigration policies, those are two big ones that concern the top managers here in the united states. look at the big tech companies in silicon valley. roughly one third of their employees, when it comes to trade policies, it is a big concern. and we've heard from some ceos in the united states that do not know the rules any longer. we don't really know what the new government is doing, when they are going to do it. there is concern. >> the qatar crisis is already shaking energy markets. its neighbors are cutting diplomatic ties. the world's most important exporter of liquefied natural gas. one tanker is forced to change course and gas prices are spiking. >> normally, takers from qatar pastor here on their way to europe. but now they are instructed to take a message he tour around the cape of good hope. the southern tip of africa. qatar may be afraid that ejection authorities will seize tankers even though such action would violate international agreements. qatar has become rich with oil as well as natural gas revenues. the country is now the world's number one supplier of liquefied natural gas. thanks to american funding and expertise from exxon mobil. the tiny gulf state with fewer than 3 million inhabitants satisfies almost 30% of global demand for liquefied gas. qatar has the world largest gas field which it shares with iran. and it boasts the world's most modern liquefaction plants. if qatar continues avoiding the suez canal, the delays could cause supply shortages, pushing up the price of liquefied natural gas. >> it quick reminder of our top story this hour. britain's prime minister says she will form a minority government that will lead the nation through brexit negotiations. a shock election result. the conservatives will rile support from the democratic unionist party. this is the debian is coming to live from berlin. as always, more on our website. thanks for watching. i will see you soon. >> hey there everyone! thanks for tuning in. it's a pleasure to join you on this edition of euromaxx highlights. let's get started with a quick glance at today's stories smooth as glass why sculptors are rediscovering this fragile material food turnon , how the foodporn craze on the net is affecting restaurants a man and his castle what wartburg castle, the wartburg car and martin luther have in common the biennale in venice is currently under way. many exhibitions are taking place all around the city. however, for our next report we want to focus on the use of glass in art. some artists shy away from glass because its manufactg

Related Keywords

Mexico , United States , New York , Qatar , Germany , Iran , Washington , Luxembourg , China , Mexico City , Distrito Federal , Russia , Berlin , London , City Of , United Kingdom , Britain , America , Mexicans , Britons , British , German , American , Theresa May , Angela Merkel , Sarah Harmon , Deutsche Welle , Wartburg Castle , Jeremy Corbyn , James Comey , Robert Mueller , Michael Flynn , Paul Ryan ,