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Press Conference with Rex Tillerson, Mexico's Foreign Minister; Priebus, Bannon Speak at CPAC. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired February 23, 2017 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:32:11] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, the statements from Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson happening right now.

LUIS VIDEGARAY, MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translation): For this message to all the media. Mr. Secretary Rex Tillerson and Mr. Secretary John Kelly, welcome to Mexico and welcome to the foreign ministry. The ministry secretary of the interior, thank you for your attendance. We'll welcome to all the media representatives.

Today, all the work groups of the president of Mexico and the United States will review deferred topics for the team that with the aim of continuing the dialogue between both nations and to give a follow-up on what was agreed by the presidents in their last phone call. Before going into specific issues, I would like to highlight some of the aspects that were repeat today with the secretaries Tillerson and Kelly, where besides Mr. -- first of all, we would like to express that this visit we are really honored and really thankful because it's taken place in a very key moment for Mexico and the United States. As you will know, there's a concern among Mexicans, there's irritation before what has been perceived as policies that might be harmful for the Mexicans and the Mexican industry.

I would like to say this is the first meeting that we have with our counterparts. We have had bilateral meetings but this is the first meeting that was held as a working group. And this has been done after few weeks of the administration -- of the position taken by Tillerson and Kelly. This shows that for the United States, it's an important relation with Mexico as well as for the Mexican government. It's important, of high importance, the relationship with the United States. And we would really like to thank Secretary Tillerson and Secretary Kelly for their attendance. Their presence here in Mexico in a moment where we have notorious differences. The best way to solve them is through the dialogue. And honest dialogue, a clear dialogue, that finally can take place between two nations that have deep bonds and links of friendship, closeness and, of course, of the society in North America. We have had space to dialogue with different topics of the agenda.

[13:35:19] We know that -- we acknowledge this is a long-term process, that it won't be necessarily simple. We are taking steps toward the proper direction. And today we took some steps toward this positive direction. We have coincide in some issues and the first one is the need -- the need to continue working of continued dialogue and to continue points of view so as to achieve agreements for Mexico. We have mentioned this and we have expressed this to the secretary of state and the secretary of the Homeland Security. The secretary of the United States dialogue must have a comprehensive approach. This is to say it has to enclose all topics. This is why this is really important to have the presence of the secretary of state. The secretary of state has the faculties and the power to see a comprehensive approach. The relationship between the foreign ministry affairs and the prime ministers would be the main axis for the dialogue, a dialogue which will include all topics, including migration, security and, of course, trade. The last topic has been -- hasn't been touched yet, but we are planning to start it in the future months, as we have explained.

I would like to focus on the migratory topic. We have expressed both Secretaries Tillerson and Kelly. First of all, our concern. Concern to respect the rights of Mexicans living in the United States. And more specifically, the human rights. And we have listened to deep -- on behalf of both secretaries. This is a very positive situation that we will face this topic with the mechanics and with dialogues that will continue growing between both. We've also talked about the legal impossibility of a government to take decisions that will affect another government in a unilateral fashion. Therefore, there is a need for this type of decisions that undoubtedly affect both countries. It would be an agreement and a dialogue. And this is a fundamental principle that we have coincided.

And I would also like to mention a very significant coincidence that concerns Central America. For all of us, it's the immigration phenomena. It's completely different. Mexico -- so we attract to be a transit country. Countries that are in the triangle. Both governments, Mexican governments, the United States and shared approach. An approach that is only limited to the migration purpose but what can cover the different issue issues. We have agreed that in the next months, we will summon for the meeting that -- together with Mexico and the United States. We will invite all their countries in the region such as Canada, Colombia and other countries from Central America so as to hold a very constructive dialogue and -- whether we can solve that different causes of migration.

[13:40:06] It will be a long way to go to be on agreement with the United States but today we've taken a good step. The difference between Mexico and the United States are still there, and we must work to reach agreements that will serve both interests. To overcome the aggressions, to overcome the negative feelings that are prevailing nowadays, what would be most important would be the facts. And today, we have traced that through different facts and actions, we'll consolidate the relationship between Mexico and the United States as a joint work and reliable friendship and relationship.

Thank you very much and welcome you again to Mexico. Thank you.

Right now, we will invite Secretary Tillerson.

REX TILLERSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Thank you very much. Secretary Videgaray and my good friend, Luis, I'm delighted to be in Mexico City. And I'm particularly pleased that Secretary Kelly has traveled with me so that we could have very comprehensive discussions on issues of great importance between our two countries.

As I shared with others, I am a native Texan. I was born in Texas and spent almost all of my life living in Texas. So Mexico for all of my life has been a very close neighbor. And I have a great affection for the Mexican people. And so I'm really pleased to be here. We have just concluded very productive meetings last night and this morning with our counterparts. The secretary of government, the secretary of foreign relations, Videgaray, the secretary of national defense, General Fuegos, secretary of the Navy Admiral Soberon (ph), and secretary of finance and public credit, Madid.

During the course of our meetings, we discussed the breadth of challenges and opportunities in the U.S./Mexico relationship. Although our two nations share a long history, our visit was forward looking focusing on common interests that would advance security and economic well-being. In our meetings, we jointly acknowledge that a relationship filled with vibrant colors, two strong sovereign countries from time to time will have differences. We listened closely and carefully to each other as we respectfully and patiently raised our respective concerns.

Our conversations covered the full range of bilateral issues. We reaffirmed our close cooperation on economic and commercial issues such as energy, legal migration, security, educational exchanges and people-to-people ties. We agreed that our two countries should seize the opportunity to modernize and strengthen our trade relationship. We also reiterated our joint commitment to maintaining law and order along our shared border by stopping potential terrorists and dismantling the transnational criminal networks moving drugs and people into the United States.

Similarly, we underscored the importance of stopping the illegal firearms and bulk cash that is originating in the United States and flowing into Mexico. There's no mistaking that the rule of law matters along both sides of our border. We recognize the existing U.S./Mexican cooperation to curtail irregular migration both by securing Mexico's southern border and by supporting efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador through the alliance for prosperity to reduce violence and stimulate economic opportunity in the region. On this issue, we discussed the importance of fair treatment of all of those in this transit.

Finally, we universally agreed on the importance of strengthening institutional mechanisms. The meetings were the continuation of a purposeful and productive exchange that is setting our two countries down a pathway to greater security and long-term prosperity. And we look forward to further meetings, perhaps in Washington, D.C., to continue to progress our important discussions on these issues. Both Secretary Kelly and I look forward to and are honored with -- by the opportunity to meet with President Pena Nieto.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Please, Secretary Kelly and Secretary Cienfuegos, could you please come to the podium so you can address some words. [13:45:15] GEN. SALVADOR CIENFUEGOS, MEXICAN DEFENSE SECRETARY

(through translation): Good afternoon, Secretary Tillerson and Secretary Kelly, Secretary Videgaray, and members of the media. It's been a significant meeting as Mr. Videgaray mentioned. And this is true because as we've mentioned, in the last years, Mexico and the United States have shared the purpose of building up more prosperous and safe region for all their people. The understanding, the responsibility and mutual respect have been the foundations under which cooperation relationship has been built that has proven to be successful for both countries from the point of view of the security and immigration flows. This relationship has been strategic. This is why today we have expressed to the counterparts of the United States the need of building up a dialogue that allows us to have a -- working. We already stated that we do not agree on the different measures that recently were stated by the government of the United States that have immediate -- that would affect Mexico. We have expressed our concern on the increase of deportations and before the possibility of citizens of other countries that could be returned or sent back to our territory so that they can await for the legal -- we have mentioned that all decisions countries decide in their region, security and safety issues or migration, they go beyond borders. Therefore, we have to get to a consensus as much as possible.

The government of Mexico considered that the schemes of coordinations of the different mechanisms we have need a permanent dialogue that will set the needs of both countries. In this regard, we insist the need of maintaining the -- in an orderly fashion to guarantee the human rights of all Mexicans in your country. Likewise, we highlight importance to the continued close relationship with all the countries of South America to help us to have a good regional development strategy. Under this issue and under this approach, we have also reviewed the mechanisms that have been developed to combat organized crime, terrorism and drug trafficking. In this regard, we expressed a need to strengthen the exchange of intelligence as well as to continue with actions to stop the flow of weapons and money coming from the states so as to have the possibility of groups that are causing great harm to our population. We are expressing the need of the Mexicans regarding safety.

We also found some coincidences of strengthening with the cooperation between both nations. For these cooperations to be possible, and for both countries to benefit from these, it's necessary to create a better understanding with both nations. Mexico needs the United States and the United States needs Mexico. Our nations will always be neighbors. Therefore, it's the most convenient thing to establish equal agreements based on respect that both countries deserve and history has already shown this is the way to go.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Secretary --

BLITZER: All right. We're going to - (AUDIO PROBLEM) -- U.S. Secretary of state and Homeland Security.

You see Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, going to the stage there. Steve Bannon, they are shaking hands, the chief strategist at the White House. That's Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union. This is a rare moment. Steve Bannon, we haven't heard much publicly from him. They're going to have a conversation at the CPAC conference just outside of Washington D.C., in National Park, Maryland. Let's listen in to the introduction from Matt Schlapp.

MATT SCHLAPP, CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION: And I think it's safe to say by a full room, just a couple of cameras, that this is one of those moments.

(CHEERING)

SCHLAPP: And I think the first thing that would be appropriate after 30 days of running a continual sprint is to thank these two guys for what they have been doing.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

REINCE PRIEBUS, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Thank you. Thank you.

Well, on that front, I also think it's a perfect moment to thank all of you for helping us elect what will be one of the greatest presidents that ever served this country.

(CHEERING)

PRIEBUS: And it's because of your work that he made it happen.

STEVE BANNON, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISOR: And I want to thank you for finally inviting me to CPAC.

(LAUGHTER)

PRIEBUS: Yeah, there's no -- what was the name of the --

(CROSSTALK)

BANNON: "The Uninvited."

PRIEBUS: Yeah, "The Uninvited."

(LAUGHTER)

SCHLAPP: There are many alumni in the audience.

BANNON: I didn't like "The Uninvited."

SCHLAPP: We decided to say that everybody is a part of our conservative family.

PRIEBUS: That's right.

(CHEERING) SCHLAPP: And that's what Donald Trump has done to so many of us around the country politically. And you guys have put together an amazing operation.

I know you all know this but the last time a president came to CPAC in the first year, it was Ronald Reagan, Saint Ronald, in 1981.

(APPLAUSE)

SCHLAPP: And you have put together the president has put together the most conservative cabinet we have ever seen, according to our CPAC ratings. And I think a few of us are pretty happy about what looks like is going to happen on the Supreme Court too, so it's --

(CHEERING)

SCHLAPP: Now let me ask you two, I'm looking in the back of the room as well, but --

(CROSSTALK)

BANNON: Is that the opposition party?

(LAUGHTER)

SCHLAPP: Let me ask you two -- we read a lot about you two.

PRIEBUS: It's all good.

SCHLAPP: But I bet not all of it's accurate. I bet there are some things that don't get written correctly.

Let me ask each one of you, what's the biggest misconception about what's going on in the Donald Trump White House?

PRIEBUS: Well in regard to us two, I think the biggest misconception is everything that you're reading.

(LAUGHTER)

We share an office suite together, we're basically together from 6:30 in the morning until about 11:00 at night.

BANNON: I have a little thing called the war room, he has a fireplace, nice sofas.

PRIEBUS: And it's actually something in a you all have helped build, which is when you bring together and what this election showed, and what President Trump showed -- and let's not kid ourselves. I mean I can talk about data and ground game and Steve can talk about big ideas, but the truth of the matter is, Donald Trump, President Trump, brought together the party and the conservative movement. And I've got to tell you, if the party and the conservative movement are together, similar to Steve and I, it can't be stopped.

(APPLAUSE) PRIEBUS: And President Trump was the one guy -

(APPLAUSE)

PRIEBUS: -- he was the one person -- and I can say it after overseeing 16 people kill each other, it was Donald Trump that was able to bring this party and this movement together. And Steve and I know that. And we live it every day. Our job is to get the agenda of president through the door on pen and paper.

BANNON: And we have known it since August 16 when you look at the opposition party and how they betrayed the campaign, and now betraying the administration, it's always wrong. On the first day that Kellyanne started and we reached out to Sean Spicer, others, and I started, it's the same team that was grinding away on the campaign, the same team that did the transition. If you remember, the campaign was the most chaotic by the media's description, most unprofessional, didn't have any idea what they were doing, then you saw them crying and weeping that night.

(CHEERING)

BANNON: And the reason it worked, the reason it worked is President Trump. I mean, Trump had those ideas, had that energy, had that vision that could galvanize a team around him of -- look, we're a coalition. A lot of people have strong beliefs about different things but we understand you can come together to win and we understood that from August 15th. And we never had a doubt and Donald Trump never had a doubt he was going to win, and I think that's the power of this movement.

[13:55:21] PRIEBUS: And on top of that, first of all, President Trump laid out his vision, I would say, four or five years ago here at CPAC.

SCHLAPP: That's right.

PRIEBUS: It's nothing different. If you go back and watch the tape of President Trump four or five years ago, that was the Trump agenda.

One of the things I used to say all the time, and Governor Walker and everybody gets sick of me saying it, but it was that President Trump found it, which is what this country, all of us were starving for the whole time because we're so sick of politics and politicians, despite of the fact that we hate politics. But we were starving for somebody real, genuine, somebody who was actually what he said he was.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

PRIEBUS: And the media attacked us on the campaign. Remember, oh, you can't spend money on Trump, give it to the Senate, attacked us on the transition. President Trump put in the best cabinet in the history of cabinets I think.

(APPLAUSE)

PRIEBUS: Now the ridiculous stories. And all we do every day and all President Trump does every day is hit his agenda every single day. Whether it's TPP, deregulation, Neil Gorsuch, whatever it is, his promise is coming through every day.

BANNON: He's even leaving bathrooms alone. That's kind of a nice refreshing thing as well.

(APPLAUSE)

BANNON: We believe it's a state issue.

BANNON: Let's go back to a point Reince was making. President Trump, when he was running, he made -- this is the other thing that the mainstream media or opposition party never caught -- is that if you want to see the Trump agenda it's very simple. It was all in the speeches. He went around to these rallies but the speeches had a great amount of content in them. I happen to believe, and others do too, he's the greatest public speaker since William Jennings Bryan. This was galvanized.

(APPLAUSE)

Remember, we didn't have any money. Hillary Clinton and these guys had $200 million. It was the rallies and speeches. All he's doing is laid out an agenda with the speeches on the promises he made and our job is get the paths of what he's executed and he is maniacally focused on that. That's one of the powers of the transition, where many people tried to come in and try to convince President Trump, you won on this, but this is what you want to do. He was like, no, I promised the American people this, and this is the plan we're going to execute on this.

(CHEERING)

BANNON: By the way that's why you've seen the way he's gone through the Supreme Court. And by the way, the other 102 judges we're going to pick, it's methodical. That's what the mainstream media won't report. Just like they were dead wrong on the chaos of the campaign and then in the chaos of the transition, they're dead wrong in what's going on today. We have a team grinding it through. President Trump is following through on what he promised the American people, and the mainstream better understand the something all of those promises are going to be implemented. It's awesome.

(CHEERING)

SCHLAPP: Steve, you're a really likable guy. You should do this more often.

PRIEBUS: Not so bad.

(LAUGHTER)

BANNON: Most of the time. SCHLAPP: What a 30 days of action. You guys have touched on some of

that action.

Each one of you tell me one or two things in the past 30 days that you think is critical and has got to happen in this administration to really turn this country around, start with the first 30 days and what's the focus after that?

PRIEBUS: There's a lot that's happened in the first 30 days.

BANNON: A lot.

PRIEBUS: Whether you look at the world order, and some of the things that are going on that I think will be dealt with soon. But the first thing I think is Neil Gorsuch. For a couple things.

(APPLAUSE)

PRIEBUS: Number one, we're not talking about a change over a four- year period. We're talking about a change of potentially 40 years of law.

(APPLAUSE)

PRIEBUS: Number one. But more important than that it established trust, it established that President Trump is man of his word. We always knew that but when he said here is 20 names on a piece of paper back in July remember? And he said I'm going to pick my judge out of these 20 people that are on this piece of paper, he did it. That's number one. Because Neil Gorsuch represents a conservative, represents the type of judge that has the vision of Donald Trump and it fulfills the promise he made to all of you and all Americans across the country.

Second thing, deregulation. What hasn't been talked about a lot is President Trump signed an order --