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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Trade Trouble; Oscars Celebrate Diversity; Netanyahu To The White House; Trump Does Comedy, SNL Jabs Back; Trump's Tariff Shake Markets. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired March 05, 2018 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[04:30:44] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point in time, no country exclusion.
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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: He sure did the Oscars with a major focus on diversity and the role of women in Hollywood. We have the winners and answer to the question you is might be asking later this morning. What is an inclusion writer? Frances McDormand with a terrific speech on a good night for Hollywood. Welcome back to "Early start." I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It is 31 minutes past the hour. The big story for the week ahead, trade. 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. Think of all of the things made in the country in the manufacturing process with aluminum and steel. The White House officials were on a P.R. offensive this weekend. A promising this tariff will not hurt the broader economy and adding 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: Navarro was backed up by commerce secretary Wilbur Ross. The president he says plans no exceptions.
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WILBUR ROSS, U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY: As for the moment. As far as I know he is talking about a fairly broad brush.
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ROMANS: As far as I know. That got a lot of attention, because there is no written proposal here just yet. Experts worry all of this could spark a trade war. In fact the fact the E.U. already threaten to stop tariffs on essentially American exports. Harley Davidson motorcycles. Hello Paul Ryan. Urban, hello Mitch McConnell and Levi's jeans. So in return, President Trump threaten to tax European cars, 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. There is already a tariff back and forth here folks. 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 we are told Economic Director Gary Cohn. The administration downplaying reports he is planning to leave all of this.
BRIGGS: All right. Last night the academy awards were not entirely free of politics. The #metoo focus show capped by Warren Beatty Faye Dunaway getting a second shot of presenting best picture. Last year you might remember they threw a fire moments in the turmoil when they read the wrong winner after getting the wrong envelope.
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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."
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ROMANS: Guillermo Del Toro who also won best Director even double check the envelope just to make sure his film has taken the top prize. In one of the more unpredictable best picture races in recent years, "The shape of water" was nominated for 13 Oscars and won 4. Host Jimmy Kimmel did had a few poetical jokes. Some aimed at President Trump, but most of the focus on the #metoo movement.
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[04:35:00] 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.
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BRIGGS: Three of Harvey Weinstein's accusers Ashley Judd and Annabel (inaudible) and Salma Hayek shared an emotional moment on stage before introducing a video highlighting the importance of diversity in Hollywood.
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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.
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BRIGGS: Frances McDormand won best lead actress for her role in "Three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri." She delivered a message of female empowerment.
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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.
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ROMANS: An inclusion writer is a clause in an actress contract that requires diversity of the cast and crew. Other top winners including Gary Oldman, for his portrayal Winston Churchill in Darkest hour, Allison Janney took 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 police officer 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: One other female focus note from the show. We learned who is in charge when "House of cards" returns in the fall.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're just getting started.
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ROMANS: 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.
BRIGGS: All right. I am intrigue, a delegation of officials from South Korea has arrived in Pyongyang and right now they are meeting with North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. 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 some serious doubts about getting both parties to the table. CNN's Will Ripley tracking the latest for us live from Beijing, good morning Will.
WILL RIPLEY, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Hi there Dave, this is pretty significant. We believe that Kim Jong-un in his meeting at this moment with South Korea's spy chief and their top security adviser to the highest level South Korean delegation to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade. Talks with the United States are the number item on their agenda. They have to figure out the South Koreans if they can find some common ground between North Korea and the U.S. Given just how vastly far apart they are on this nuclear issue. You have the President Trump over the weekend saying that North Korea called up and said the want to talk and he said the U.S. does to, but they have to de-nuke. North Korea essentially responding that today saying they are not going to de-nuke, they said the United States should not misjudge their willingness for a dialogue and that would be quote more than ridiculous the North Korean say for the United States to think that denuclearization is even on the table. And I have to tell you when you visit Pyongyang and you see all of the propaganda, bill top around nuclear weapons, Kim Jong-un's legitimacy is centered around the fact that he has develop this nuclear force in these country, it is hard to see how he would save face by walking away from the nuclear program which is what the United States is insisting must happen before they potentially move to phase two. If diplomacy fails, phase two of course being a military option which a lot of analyst believe could be catastrophic. Here in China, they are watching this closely. It is the first day of the national people's congress. The largest legislative gathering where Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days is expected to consolidate his power by abolishing term limits effectively setting the ground work for him to be able be president for life. [04:40:13] Some say to return to the culture personality, strong man
even dictatorship, the China saw in the past with Mao. President Trump doesn't seem demined praising Xi Jinping over the weekend saying perhaps jokingly that he might try being President for life as well. Dave.
BRIGGS: He was joking, but definitely an important story. Not enough people are talking about it. Will Ripley, live for us in Beijing, thank you.
ROMANS: All right. A vote of confidence for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Tillerson's relationship with the president of course has been strain. The state department ranks thinning worldwide, keep post on field, but Condoleezza Rice tells CNN Fareed Zakaria, Tillerson is performing under trying circumstances.
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CONDOLEEZZA RICE, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: The relationship with the President is hard. It is. I think what is hard is to get up every day and not know what the President said at 3:00 in the morning. That would be exceedingly difficult. I think Rex Tillerson in an unusual administration with an unusual President who has never been in government before is really doing a good job on diplomacy and putting his head down and going about the work.
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ROMANS: She singled out the work with North Korea and Russia. It was Rice who recommended Tillerson for the job back in 2016.
BRIGGS: Ahead, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading to the White House today comes with controversy over the U.S. Embassy move and Netanyahu's own legal troubles. We are live in Jerusalem with the latest.
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[04:41:04] BRIGGS: Today, President Trump set to host Israel Prime Minister at the White House. At this point, no reporters will be allowed to ask questions. This comes with Benjamin Netanyahu under increasing scrutiny in Israel. Police say there is enough evidence to indict him on charges, including bribery. Joining us with the latest Ian Lee in Jerusalem. Good morning, Ian.
IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave. I think it is a safe bet the Prime Minister likes being in the United States right now instead of in Israel. He is away from all of his legal woes. He has three investigations now that he is a suspect in and just last Friday police questioned him again. While he is in Washington, there are a few issues on the plate. First is going to be Iran. This is something the Prime Minister has talked a lot about. He sees Iran as a major threat. He dislikes the Iranian nuclear deal saying fix it or nix it. Although this is a deal with a lot of support from the international
community. France's President Emmanuel Macron will be in Iran to talk about the deal and the Iran ballistic missile program and their involvement in Syria and Lebanon. That is another area where Prime Minister has concerned with their involvement on the Israeli border. The other topic will likely be brought up by the President is the peace deal. He has pushed for the ultimate deal of peace with the Israelis and Palestinians. We are hearing he does have a plan, although none of us has seen it, and no officials have seen it either. We are looking forward to seeing what could that possible be they are also going to talk about the U.S. embassy move which is expected in May. Also Guatemala coming out and saying that they are going to move their embassy in May too, Dave.
BRIGGS: He has a plan that no one seen. Sound like trade as well. Ian Lee live for us. 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 ongoing military operations and now accusing Russia and the regime of targeting civilians as part of the brutal campaign.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh tracking events for us. She joins us live from Amman, Jordan. Just desperation there in eastern Ghouta. So many civilians caught on the crosshairs.
JOMANAH KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: According to the United Nation, Christine they estimate 400,000 people trapped in these rebel-held territory that has been under siege for nearly five years. Despite the U.N. resolution calling for a cease-fire, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called humanitarian pause that was supposed to take place over the past week, different parts of eastern Ghouta have continued to come under air strikes and shelling. Also we are seeing advances by the regime on the ground. The ground offensive fighting on several fronts as they try to enter eastern Ghouta. We hear on Sunday, regime forces managed to make some gains and they captured a number of villages. That prompted thousands of civilians from those areas to flee westward. This as we heard from President Bashar al Assad as you mentioned. As saying the fight will continue that they are fighting against terrorism. That is the regime's narrative for a few years now. And that he is saying that civilians can leave while the fighting is going on. The reality on the ground is a very complex situation. We have not seen civilians trying to leave the area. Both sides blaming each other for why. That is the case all eyes today are on a U.N. convoy and international Red Cross convoy that is trying to enter eastern Ghouta. 46 trucks loaded with aid. Everyone I s waiting to see if they will manage to get into that area and bring in that desperately needed aid, Christine.
[04:50:00] ROMANS: All right. Thank you, Jomana Karadsheh this morning.
BRIGGS: The U.S. Embassy in Turkey shutdown today because of a security threat. Only emergency services are available with visa interviews and other routine services canceled. No further details about the threat being released. Embassy officials urging all U.S. citizens in Turkey to avoid large crowds and be aware of their own security at tourist's sites.
ROMANS: All right. West Virginia school teachers entering day eight of the strike. State legislators did not meet their demand for higher pay and better benefits. Last week the governor and union leaders agreed to a 5 percent pay raise for teachers. The house passed it, a 5 percent raised, but the senate version was only 4 percent. Not clear when the conference committee will tackle the difference so the walkout could last for several more days. Keeping nearly 277,000 students at home.
All right. How many passengers does it take to kill a $40 million tax break? For Delta? 13, that is right. Details on "CNN money" next.
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[04:55:40] BRIGGS: All right. President Trump assuming a new role over the weekend. That of comic in chief. The President providing a rare look of the self-deprecating side of the annual gridiron dinner with the media in Washington, D.C. No camera were allowed and that is 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 joked before I get started I want to apologize for arriving a little bit late. You know we're late tonight because Jared could not get through the security. That is a nod to the security clearance issues.
ROMANS: On the North Korean supreme leader. I won't rule out direct talks with Kim Jong-un. I just won't. As far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concern, that is his problem not mine. And so many people have been leaving the White House, it actually had been very exciting and invigorating because you want new thoughts. I like turnover. I like chaos. It's really good. Now the question everybody keeps asking, who is going to be the next to leave. Steve Miller or Melania.
BRIGGS: Wow. Awkwardness to Melania. The President dishing it out or taking it this weekend. "Saturday Night Live" in vintage form back on the air after the Olympic hiatus.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I announced the steel and aluminum tariffs. Don't be nuts about it. 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)
ROMANS: Let's get a check on "CNN money" this morning. President Trump tariffs are shaking markets. U.S. Stocks closed mixed Friday but ended lower for the week. The Dow almost 500 points in two days, the selloff could continue today. Futures are lower. Global are markets are mixed. Why is the market freaked out by trade? The President protection is threatens to undo his pro-business works. Like tax cut deregulation and that is also bad for inflation which is behind the market's recent wild swings.
How many passengers does it take to kill a $40 million tax break for delta? Just 13. Previously Delta offered discounts of flights to the NRA's annual meeting, but ended that program due to consumer pressure. That decision angered Georgia Republicans who stripped a jet fuel tax break from a bill which was signed into last Friday. Turns out only 13 people ever even used that discount. Delta says it remains neutral in the gun debate. It is one of a dozen companies cutting ties with the NRA in the wake of the Parkland shooting.
What is better than winning an academy award, winning in Oscar? And a jet ski. That is what the incentive host Jimmy Kimmel offered for the shortest acceptance speech. The winner best in costume designer Mark Bridges, his speech clock in just about 30 seconds. The Jet Ski, Kimmel explained, was held from Helen Mirren was worth almost $18,000.
BRIGGS: Helen Mirren? That was more on the better nights I found a moment if more made short speeches it would help.
"Early start" continues right now. With the latest on where the President is headed on trade tariffs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point in time, there is no country exclusion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: No country, friend or foe, will be spared from new trade tariffs expected this week. The White House insists it won't hurt the economy, but when will an actual plan be on the table and why are so many key aide against it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANCES MCDORMAND, OSCAR WINNER: So I am Hyperventilating a little bit. If I fall, pick me up. Because I've got some things to say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Frances McDormand did indeed have a lot to say. The Oscars with a major focus on diversity and the role of women in Hollywood. We have the winners and the answer to the question some might be asking this morning. What is an inclusion rider? Not the name of the Jet Ski we saw. Good morning. Welcome to "Early start." I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It is Monday March 5 it is 5:00 a.m. in the east, 2:00 a.m. in Hollywood, noon in Jerusalem, 6:30 p.m. in Pyongyang. Let us begin with trade. White House officials defending the president new tariffs of foreign steel and aluminum. The President is set to deliver on this key campaign, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. He gave no further details.
