Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Trade Trouble; Oscars Celebrate Diversity; Netanyahu To The White House; Trump Does Comedy, SNL Jabs Back. Aired 4-4:30 ET
Aired March 05, 2018 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[04:00:25] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point in time, no country exclusion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: No country, friend or foe, will be spared from new trade tariffs this week. The White House insists it will with not hurt the economy, but when will an actual plan be on the table and why are so many of the President's inner circle against it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hyperventilating a little bit. If I fall, pick me up, because I got some things to say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE BRIGGS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: Boy, did she, the Oscars with a major focus on diversity and the role of women in Hollywood. We have the winners and answer to the question everyone is might be asking later today. What is an inclusion writer? It is not the Jet Ski that was given away to the shortest Oscars acceptance speech. That was fun. Good morning. Welcome to "Early start." I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: Happy Monday everybody. I'm Christine Romans. It is March 5th. 4:00 a.m. in the east. 1:00 a.m. at Hollywood, 11:00 a.m. in Jerusalem. 5:30 in the evening in Pyeongchang. Let's begin with what we are expecting this week, this the trade disruption. The White House officials defending the President to tariffs on steel and aluminum the president is set to deliver a key campaign promise tariff on steel and aluminum imports. He gave no further details. The last week surprise announcement is enough to cause immediate outcry from U.S. businesses, from trading partners and fellow Republicans. One fear here risks jobs in industries that rely on steel and aluminum if you drive a car or fly or drink a beer, prices could go up. The White House officials were on a P.R. Tour this weekend promising tariffs will not hurt the broader economy and no countries will be exempt. Even key allies. Here is trade adviser Peter Navarro.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PETER NAVARRO, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF TRADE AND MANUFACTURING TARIFFS:
There will be an exemption procedure for particular cases where we need to have exemptions so business can move forward, but at this point in time, there will be no country exclusion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: That is Peter Navarro. He is a long-time trade hawk. Navarro was backed up by commerce secretary Wilbur Ross. The president he says plans no exceptions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILBUR ROSS, U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY: As far as I know he is talking about a fairly broad brush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Experts warn that could spark a trade war. In fact the E.U. already threaten to stop tariffs on essentially American exports. Harley Davidson motorcycles. Where are those made? Wisconsin. Bourbon from Kentucky. Levi's jeans. In return, President Trump threaten to tax European cars tweeting, if the E.U. wants to further increase their already massive tariffs, he will add a tax on their cars. The U.S. has already taxes European cars and Europe imposes a 10 percent tariff on American cars. The European automakers also employs thousands of workers in the United States. Trump's announcement was made against the wishes of many top advisers, including Economic Director Gary Cohn. The administration has downplay reports that Cohn threaten to leave over this. You know Dave. This is what the President said on the campaign trail. Like he said over and over again.
BRIGGS: Indeed.
ROMANS: Over the last year with the stock market up and everything the President was so just raw pro-business, and a lot of people are lulled into complacency thinking he will not mess around with trade.
BRIGGS: Yes. You want consistency and stability. The five words that shocked me there were Wilbur Ross saying as far as I know. Shouldn't your commerce secretary should know everything about the president plan on trade?
ROMANS: Peter Navarro is a long-time adviser of the president. He has been a strong critic of trade. A lot of people think he has been blunted by Gary Cohen and others in the White House, but now he has emerge again in the inner circle.
BRIGGS: Yes. It sure looks like a massive change.
All right. To the academy awards last night. Not entirely free of politics. The #metoo focus show capped by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway getting a second shot in presenting best picture, last year they threw a fire moments in the turmoil when they read the wrong winner after getting the wrong envelope. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WARREN BEATY, ACTOR: It is so nice seeing you again.
FAYE DUNAWAY, ACTOR: As they say, presenting is lovelier the second time around.
BEATY: And the Oscar goes to --
"The shape of water."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Guillermo Del Toro who also won best Director even double check the envelope to make sure his film has taken the top prize.
[04:05:00] On unpredictable Best Picture raises in recent years "The shape of water" was nominated for 13 Oscars and won 4. Host Jimmy Kimmel he did had a few practical jokes. Some aimed at President Trump, political jokes I should say, some aimed at President Trump, but most of the focus was on the #metoo movement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW: Oscar is 90 years old tonight which means he is probably at home right now watching Fox News. Oscar is still number one. No question about it. Oscar is the most beloved and respected man in Hollywood. There is a very good reason why. Just look at him. He keeps his hands where you can see them. Never says a rude word. And most importantly, no penis at all. He is literally a statute of limitations. If we are successful here, if we can work together to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, if we can do that, women will only have to deal with harassment all the time every at every other place they go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: He did a good job. Three of Harvey Weinstein's accusers Ashley Judd and Annabel and Salma Hayek shared an emotional moment on stage before introducing a video highlighting the importance of diversity in Hollywood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASHLEY JUDD, ACTOR: The changes we are witnessing are driven by the powerful sound of new voices of different voice, different voices and of our voices. Joining together in a mighty chorus finally saying time's up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Frances McDormand won best lead actress for the role in "Three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri." She delivered a message of female empowerment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FRANCES MCDORMAND, OSCAR WINNER: If I may be so honored to have all
the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. The actors, Meryl, if you do it, everybody else will do it. The film makers, the producers, Directors, writers, cinematographers, the designers, come on! Ok. Look around, everybody. Look around, ladies and gentlemen. We all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don't talk to us about it at the party tonight, invite us into your office in a couple of days or you can come to ours which ever suites you best. We will tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, inclusion rider.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: From the heart and off the cuff and really inspiring. An inclusion rider is a clause in actor's contract that requires diversity among the cast and crew. Other top winners including Gary Oldman, fantastic, for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest hour, Allison Janney for best supporting actress for her turn as Skater, Tonya Harding mother in the dark comedy "I, Tonya" and Sam Rockwell won for best supporting actor for his performance as a racist deputy in "Three billboards."
BRIGGS: Other notable winners including Jordan Peele who becomes the first Black writer to win an original screen play Oscars for the social thriller "Get out." and Kobe Bryant won an academy award for best animated short "Dear basketball" based on the poem by the former L.A. Lakers star.
ROMANS: I wonder what his words (inaudible) looks like at home.
BRIGGS: Impressive. A lot of NBA championships.
ROMANS: One other female focus note from the show. We learned who is in charge when "House of cards" returns in the fall.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're just getting started.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Good-bye Kevin Spacey, hello Robin Wright. The first promo for the sixth and final season of the Netflix show aired during the Oscars. Robin Wright will star now that Kevin Spacey is left following his sexual misconduct scandal.
All right. Nine minutes past the hour, a delegation of officials from South Korea heading to Pyongyang today for meetings with the North Korean counterparts. They plan to raise a possibility of talks with the United States for the latest heated exchange between the U.S. and North Korea raises serious doubts about getting both parties to the table. CNN's Will Ripley tracking the latest development, he is in Beijing for us this morning. Will, bring us up to speed.
WILL RIPLEY, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: All right. Christine, we believe that South Korean delegation is on the ground in Pyongyang right now. They will spend the night. It is a pretty quick trip. They have a lot on their agenda. Number one, trying to set the framework for some sort of dialogue and talks with the United States. South Korean President spending the top security adviser to highest level visit in more than ten years since the Presidential summit in 2007. Obviously, dialogue with the United States is at the top of their list. President Trump spoke about it over the weekend. He said North Korea called up and said they would like to talk and he told them they have to de-nuke.
[04:10:00] North Korean state media today responding, basically saying, we will not going to de-nuke. They said it more like this. The U.S. should not misjudge their willingness to talk. It would be more than ridiculous for United States to think the denuclearization is on the table. Of course, I can tell you North Koreans have told me repeatedly in many discussions and very consistently in their state media that the nuclear arsenal is there to stay. You go to Pyongyang the North Korean capital all you see is propaganda, centered around the nuclear weapons. It what give Kim Jong-un legitimacy, is hard to see how they willing to walk away from that. And of course, the U.S. said if diplomacy doesn't work, they will move towards phase two, the military options. Meanwhile here in Beijing the largest legislate gathering in these country kicking off just hours ago. The national people's congress where Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to consolidate his power, power grab, abolishing presidential term limits, allowing him to rule for life. Something that President Trump also perhaps jokes about over the weekend saying perhaps he should try that someday. Christine?
ROMANS: Cleary a joke, but the story of that power grab in China could very well be the story for the next decade. The most important story for the next decade, no question. Will Ripley, thank you so much.
BRIGGS: Even the most downplayed story in the past couple weeks.
ROMANS: It is classic, I mean the Chinese think in 50 years and 100- year increments. They plan for the very long, the United States thinks just election to election. Just by that, you know, we just show our folly.
Israel Prime Minister heads to the White House today. This comes controversy over the U.S. embassy move and Benjamin Netanyahu's own legal troubles. We are live in Jerusalem.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:15:35] BRIGGS: 4:15 Eastern Time. Today President Trump set to host the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House. This comes with Benjamin Netanyahu under scrutiny in Israel. Police say there is enough evidence to indict him on charges, including bribery. Joining us with the latest Ian Lee from Jerusalem. Ian I understand no question to the president and the Prime Minister perhaps for good reason. Good morning to you.
IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. You know, there's a lot they will be discussing in the meetings. First off for the Prime Minister you have Iran. Iran has been a topic he has been hitting on quite often. He is worried about Iran's nuclear program. This Iranian nuclear deal which he says fix it or nix it. We know French officials will travelling to Iran to discuss that led by the French President Emanuel Macron. You also have Iran's involvement in neighboring Syria and Lebanon. He will likely discuss as far as for the President, we are like to hear something about the peace process, we hear that there is a plan that they put together although none of us had seen it, and few people in the government have seen that as well. That is something that the president has been pushing toward this ultimate deal with his special envoy to the region. Another topic will likely discuss is the U.S. embassy move. We are expecting that the President could even receive an invitation for the ribbon cutting ceremony which expected to take place sometime in May. We are also hearing that Guatemala is going to move their embassy to Jerusalem in May as well. We also are following the Prime Minister's legal woes back here back home. He is being investigated in these three cases. Last Friday he was investigated, questioned by authorities. Something that he is probably happy to be in D.C. to take a break from. Dave.
BRIGGS: Especially considering reporters are not allowed to ask questions. Ian Lee, thank you.
ROMANS: Syrian President Bashar al Assad says the regime keep up military tactics against rebel held eastern Ghouta. Hundreds of civilians had died on those attacks. The regime claim that this is part of an effort to combat terrorism. The White House condemning the regime's ongoing military operations and accusing Russia and the regime of targeting civilians as part of the brutal campaign. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh tracking events for us. She is live from Amman, Jordan. The government line is that these are terrorists. They are rooting out terrorists. The rest of the world is saying no, these are civilians and families.
JOMANAH KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well this is always been the regime's narrative, Christine. They always maintained they will go after terrorist groups. That is the word they used when talking about the rebel groups. We heard from President Assad saying they will continue the campaign for eastern Ghouta. That is the terrorism fight like other parts of the country. They are saying it is not impacting civilians leaving, but the reality on the ground is much more complex. It is different. We have not seen civilians being able to leave despite President Putin's so called humanitarian pause for five hours a day for the past week. No one has manage to leave eastern Ghouta.
This is all happening as we see the regime making advances on the ground as part of the ground offensive that they started in recent days. There has been intense fighting on several fronts. On the eastern front, they seem to have pushed in and taken over on Sunday a number of villages and that prompted civilians in the those areas in a thousand really to flee westward. So far there is no sign of an end to the escalating violence there and mounting death toll that we hearing from the United Nations and other organizations. And today we are waiting to see what happens in the coming hours with the U.N. Convoy. 46 trucks loaded with aid for eastern Ghouta, they are hoping to get that aid into that part of the country today.
ROMANS: All right. Jomanah, thank you so much for that in Amman Jordan this morning, thanks.
BRIGGS: All right. On a lighter note, the President Trump showing up a few committee (inaudible) this weekend, but still took some incoming hit, thanks to his favorite "Saturday Night Live."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never forget our little inside joke. The meeting was about Russian adoption. He won't get that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[04:20:00] BRIGGS: Hope Hicks impersonation among the highlights more over the weekend. We will have more next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRIGGS: President Trump assuming a new role over the weekend. Comic in chief. The President providing a rare look at the self-deprecating side over the dinner. No camera's allowed that was a long standing rule but we do have some of the President's most notable remarks on the topic of his son-in-law. The president joke, before I get started I want to apologize for arriving a little bit late, because Jared could not get through the security.
[04:25:00] ROMANS: And North Korea's Supreme Leader, I won't rule out direct talks with Kim Jong-un. I just won't. As far as risk of dealing with a madman is concerned, that is his problem, not mine. And this. So many people leaving the White House. It is actually really had been exciting and invigorating because you want new thoughts. I like turnover and I like chaos. It was really good. The question that everybody keeps asking, who is the next to leave. Steve Miller or Melania?
BRIGGS: I rarely heard this President ever self-deprecating.
ROMANS: I think that is mean.
BRIGGS: The President dishing it out, but also have a take in this weekend. "Saturday night live" in vintage form, back on the air after the Olympic (inaudible). And Alec Baldwin back at it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I announced the steel and aluminum tariffs. I brought back the steel industry by destroying the auto industry and taking the stock market impressive. Look at that. Both sides hated it. I don't care. I said I was going to run this country like a business. That business is a waffle house at 2:00 a.m.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE) Crazies everywhere. Staff walking out of the middle of the shift.
Managers taking money out of the cash register to pay off the Russian mob.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Alec Baldwin did a nice job. No tweets from the President about that. Back to the self-deprecating thing. If he did more of that, he might be better off.
ROMANS: I thought the tone was good. I wish we could have seen it. To have him chummy with the press, that is a new development.
BRIGGS: All right. Ahead, the White House says new trade tariffs will apply to all countries and no exception. Why is the President pushing ahead with the plan even Republican's call a huge mistake?
ROMANS: And a big time's up theme for Hollywood's biggest night. The winners, must see moment at the speech that brought all the women to their feet, next.
