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Trump Meets With UK PM May After Attacking Her In Press; Trump Disputes Report That He Criticized British PM; U.S. President Does Not Feel Welcome In UK; Large Protest Against Trump In London; President Trump To Meet Queen Elizabeth II; Trump Will Absolutely Firmly Ask Putin About Meddling; Trump Won't Rule Out Canceling NATO Drills If Putin Asks; Trump Says He Will Ask Putin About Election Meddling; Trump To Meet Privately With Putin In Finland; Trump, First Lady To Meet Queen Elizabeth For Tea; "We Stand Together". Aired 10-10:30PM

Aired July 13, 2018 - 10:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:00:26] HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome you're watching CNN's breaking news coverage of Donald Trump's visit to the United Kingdom.

We just saw an almost an hour a long news conference between Donald Trump and the UK's Prime Minister Theresa May at her countryside residence at Chequers and Buckinghamshire outside of London.

There are protest going on in the city, but this is something that Donald Trump will not be seeing first hand only potential and on his TV screen because he's saying, a well clear of Central London choppering (ph) in from one location to the next.

A news conference that was rich, rich in content with the U.S. President after the publication of a "Sun" tabloid newspaper interview that created a lot of blow back against him for having criticized Theresa May. This time on the contrary lavishing phrase on the UK Prime Minister calling her a "terrific incredible woman" that he got to know very well over the last 24 hours with whom he had breakfast, lunch and dinner calling her a good negotiator and someone he'd rather have as a friend than as an enemy.

He also discussed in this news conference his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, saying that -- when he was asked about Crimea, the annexation of Crimea by Russia that it was an Obama disaster not blaming the Russian President for it but blaming his predecessor Barack Obama.

Let's listen to part of what Donald Trump said during this news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES: I didn't criticize the Prime Minister. I have a lot of respect for the Prime Minister and unfortunately there was a story that was done which was, you know, generally fine but it didn't put in what I said about the Prime Minister and I said tremendous things and fortunately we tend to record stories now, so we have it for your enjoyment if you'd like it. But we record when we do with reporters, it's called fake news and we solved a lot of problems with their good old recording instrument.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GORANI: All right. Well joining me now is Ben Kentish. Ben Kentish of the "Independent Newspaper". So while all this is going on and of course and we don't see it behind us, but there are big protests in London and all dimension the President probably wouldn't be seeing but as images at least first hand.

Let's talk first of all about his remarkable 180 by the U.S. President going from that "Sun" interview to what he said at Chequers.

BEN KENTISH, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, INDEPENDENT: Hala, it's extraordinary. I mean the interview that came out late last night couldn't have been clearer is of U.S. President very openly criticizing the strategies that Theresa May and (INAUDIBLE) is adopted last week.

It could not having clear in that sense and for Downing Street and for the strategy that she is trying to just hear but with the European Union, but also in sense of keeping her in policy on the side, that was potentially very damaging. And what we saw it today with President Trump I think spectacularly wrong back on that by saying her quite literally whatever you do in Brexit is fine with me.

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: He admit it that he might have taken a side of different touch. He admitted that it could potentially be some problem to the trade deal, but he said to a very clearly whatever you do is fine with me and there will be a trade between us. So to Theresa May at least that is a big success over that press conference.

GORANI: I find it remarkable that he called fake news essentially the reporting on his own interview.

KENTISH: Well this -- the "Sun" release some of the audios. We were saying hoax. They introduce completely on the record. I think what he was saying was you missed out some of the context where --

GORANI: Right.

KENTISH: -- I praised the Prime Minister. Some of them are positive things I said about Theresa May. It's very, very clearly in what he did say about the Brexit strategy is-- I mean the headline with Theresa May has killed the chance of the trade deal and I think his comments on this strategy that she has opted to Chequers last week.

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: Could not have been clearer and could not have been more different in many ways, so what he just said now at the press conference.

GORANI: How -- where does this lead Theresa May because she -- after that Sun interview you'd think she's even more weakened. She's still Prime Minister but barely now it seems as though things have been moved over with the U.S. President and she's still basically in- charge.

KENTISH: I think that's right and I think this -- the press conference and Mr. Trump's laid his comments were a big, big win for Theresa May.

What she wanted, I said this yesterday, what she wanted from this talks was confirmation for the U.S. President that the trade deal has been talked and talked about by UK government is on the cards remains the possibilities and isn't thrown off track by the deal that she agreed into the agreement as she made have seen the (INAUDIBLE) just last week in terms of that negotiation.

GORANI: And that was after Brexit. I mean let's call --

KENTISH: It is after Brexit but it has a context. What was agreed last week is Britain remaining in some ways close to the EUs regulation.

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: The EU regulation. Some say that means a trade deal with the U.S. (INAUDIBLE) because some of the regulation that U.S. are different.

[10:04:58] And the fear amongst Theresa May's more anti EU-MP (ph) is that the strategy, the government is pursuing would caught not just the U.S. trade but a whole range of other trade that's at risk. So it's how the U.S. President stand very clearly well actually now it didn't notice the case I think the trade deal is on the cards still --

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: -- it's a big, big boost for the Prime Minister.

GORANI: But also a friction was trade meaning that freedom of movement won't be what it was, but it certainly won't be a hard border or with potentially visas for EU and citizens and things like that although that all used to be ironed up.

He did also mention he's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin. He managed to blame the invasion of Crimea on his predecessor Barack Obama and not the Russian President.

KENTISH: He did -- because he did. And I think Theresa May from her perspective kind of won't want to get involved in that. I think we wait to see what happens with the meeting with President Putin on Monday. Clearly -- the President Trump even within the space with this Europe trip has made a numerous different comments on numerous and issues. Taking very brave in facts on things less security, he went into the NATO meeting winner (ph). There were phase he was going to pull the U.S. out of NATO. He spent most his afternoon recognizing the issues with NATO, but also praising it and say it's been, there's a close that sent to unity on this and it's been and ever before so --

GORANI: Wonders if there was sort of a team meeting after that Sun interview yesterday after that gala dinner thing. We got to reframe this somehow.

But of course his comments on immigration are not going to be music to ears of people who find his rhetoric to be distasteful, venophobic (ph) that immigration is bad for Europe. It's very negative for Europe, that for instance Germany need to watch themselves. This is the illusion of -- and some people will see this as it basically white European culture being diluted by Muslims and immigrants from developing countries like Syria and countries in Africa.

KENTISH: And I think that's the reason -- that rhetoric particularly is the reason will say hundreds of thousands people around the UK protesting today is more a hundred protest have plan.

But I think so it comes on the (INAUDIBLE) this morning when he said to President Trump directly of her interview. Mr Trump the diversity of our city is something to be praised not something to be fear. And I think that is sentiment. Well there are consents of our immigration both in the UK and across Europe --

GORANI: Right.

KENTISH: -- I think that is the sentiment of the speaker said.

GORANI: But London is not the UK, New York is not America. Here, I mean this is a bubble really. Once you leave London you start hearing a lot more support for the U.S. President for the idea of Brexit, anti-immigration rhetoric, sometimes racist rhetoric and you get the sense that where we operate here is actually quite insulated sometimes from, you know, public opinion and other parts of the country. What do you feel over U.S.?

KENTISH: I think that the sense of that --

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: -- I think I can be exaggerates to that --

GORANI: Yes.

KENTISH: -- I think Britain is a country is very tolerant. They're all can sense our immigration, but it's not too much but level of immigration that control our immigration.

GORANI: Yes

KENTISH: It's not. I think in many British people agree is on the Trump he said immigration is bad, immigration is destroying our country.

But they're all valid concerns. And the British government is certainly looking to address those, but I think Mr. Trump's rhetoric would not be welcome by people in Britain and I think Poland towards this visit suggest that he is not interested in the British public from that ensure.

GORANI: Ben Kentish of the "Independent Newspaper". Thank you very much for joining us on CNN and we were talking about this protest.

Erin McLaughlin is with the women's march, Erin.

GORANI: Erin if you can hear you're on the air.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm not hearing anything.

Hi Hala, yes I can hear you, you can hear behind me people here are making some noise at the (INAUDIBLE) the person on that stage. They've been hearing a bunch of speeches from different organizers of this women's march earlier today. They marched again outside of BBC Headquarters marched down Regent Streets.

The main thorough affair here -- shopping (ph) thorough affair here in London half of Downing Street and it ended up here at Parliament Square just outside the Houses of Commons.

As you can see the crowd here has been somewhat thousands of people turned out for the women's march, the first waived of marches in a series of protest across the United Kingdom. The main march which is the Stop-Trump March is now underway following a very similar route that they're ending up in Trafalgar Square.

A protesters that I've been talking to here comment that they're kicking out work to be here today. Many bringing their children, I saw a family of five from Redding here complete with signs all of the (INAUDIBLE). The U.S. President that he is not welcome here. And organizers tell me that their message really is too full at this point.

On the one hand to say that his policies are devices and on the other hand they also tell Theresa May that when she deals with President Trump she has to remember British values which they feel are in some ways under attack by the President of the United States. That values being tolerant, exclusivity and diversity and they want to make sure that she carries with her that message when she talks to the President of the United States.

[10:10:12] GORANI: Erin McLaughlin, thanks very much. She's at -- with the women's march protesters in Central London. Thank you.

Christiane Amanpour joins me now live. A remarkable news conference in which the U.S. President really just did a -- damage control times of thousands --

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A total of 180, spinning on a dime, blinking.

GORANI: It dialed back pretty much everything that said in that "Sun" interview even calling parts of his own interview fake news. AMANPOUR: Right. And I must say the contrast of just seeing all this people here in London which is why he bypassed London. Protesting quietly but with conviction and that amount of sort of (INAUDIBLE) there at Chequers and Blenheim.

Look, the President was over the top if you said about the Prime Minister this afternoon. He wanted to really do damage control because I don't know what he thought that the interview was going to be published and issue, that he -- I don't know.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: But certainly in front of her, he was not as bold at all about her but the reverse --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- that he was with third party. So that's what happened. He also big dump NATO, he again and again said they were stronger. We're unified. I'm going to Putin with the strong NATO and by the way I've made all the allies pay much more and that's why they're paying much more.

So on that's issue, but I think on the, you know, immigration is where his true core values on. The others are sort of just stuff the he's-- he has to talk about.

But immigration he genuinely believes is a bad a thing that migrants have cause a bad situation in the United States, and as you heard him again say and it's quite significant language, it's very distasteful language because he again doubles down and says what he said to the "Sun" that migration has changed the color and the culture of Europe and not in a positive way. And that's his core belief.

And of course I spoke to the Mayor today Sadiq Khan who will also took a matter (ph) on that "Sun" interview and the Mayor was very clear that immigration was a huge and sorted by the way Theresa May in front of President Trump. Stuck up for immigration in this country and how it undepend (ph) the culture and the fabric of this country for decades and decades.

GORANI: I mean saying that immigration is harmful to the culture to the fabric, I mean --

AMANPOUR: Not just immigration Hala, you know very well is Muslims.

GORANI: Right and Muslims --

AMANPOUR: Right.

GORANI: -- people from Africa, from Afghanistan, from Syria especially if he's referencing the German situation as well. And that's going to sound quite frightening for people.

AMANPOUR: But it is frightening and to be honest with you it's actually not correct as well. He's trying to say and he said about Germany and he said this, you know, a couple of weeks ago that not only is it changing the color, the fabric of your cultures but it is creating a massive crime spike. It's not true.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: Even Angela Merkel's political opponent well he's actually heard --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- coalition part, but nonetheless rival who is the interior minister put out the facts. The fact is that the crime has been thinking in Germany --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- by a hefty percentage over the last few years including since all those people came in 2015. And even if you look in the United States majority immigrant, migrant communities has less crime --

GORANI: Less crime, yes.

AMANPOUR: -- than indigenous communities. So it makes no sense. However it is a whistle, whatever they call it, it's a dog whistle --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- or siren, this tribalism, this identity politics and he knows it because he says, you know, that's why I was elected in the United States and we know it because that led to the Brexit vote. We know it. It did.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: And it's this nostalgia for a pause that will not come back that is a white Christian parts, and that's not what America is anymore.

GORANI: And as you mention --

AMANPOUR: And it's not what Europe is.

GORANI: -- it's not relying, in fact in that crime is lower in immigrant communities. Immigration is usually a plus economically as well for countries because people who come to a country come because there is work. They pay taxes -- I mean all of these positive aspects of immigration are getting lost.

AMANPOUR: They're getting lost -- I mean look the facts of the matter is, yes there's been terrorism but as we know certainly the terrorist in the United States is not because of refugees who went in and it's not because of refugees who came here.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: It's a much more complicated situation. I will say that Sadiq Khan is one of the few leaders who will take on President Trump.

When President Trump attacks and then it started with President Trump attacking him and this go on to the last couple of years. Its long running feuds since before Trump was President.

As Sadiq wrote in the BB Stand which is a prominent evening daily here that look, we have a special relationship, but when you have best friends you must be honest to them especially if they're not living up to a shared values that is what I see to do. I put that question to him, let's just listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR OF LONDON: Look I'm quite clear -- look I love America, I love Americans. As to many Londoners and you've been to my country because you are a close to somehow have special relationship.

[10:15:01] My connotations of you are higher than it would be I believe over the country. I'll be frank about that. So my expectations of a President of the USA a different to my expectations or the president of Turkey or another county we can name around the world. Just a like a best friend.

The expectation of having a best friend are higher, you know, just a friend, friends or an acquaintance. So, I expect this from at close ally. I expect this from other countries. Similarly, NATO at his core is the U.S. relationship, U.S. Canada and the European countries, Turkey as well.

And I just think, you know, we shouldn't cover to people whose we just close -- particularly that close mate. I wouldn't dream of being scared to express to my best friend my views about serving -- he or she was doing that. I just scream with this.

Similarly, I don't understand why our Prime Minister and others across the world are afraid to say President Trump. You know, what we argue? There are many, many things but I think, you're wrong in this. This is why we think you're wrong. And I think, it's important more of us courageous.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

AMANPOUR: It's pretty blunt in this.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: Absolutely who is and he is not afraid to speak the truth. You know President Trump said and this is his cover. What I say about immigration may not be politically correct, but it's not correct.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: It is politically correct. The thing is he uses the conflation he makes between migrants and crimes are not correct. Of course, there needs to be an organized immigration policy by every country. As the experts are now saying, there needs to be sustainable migration because they have to be able to distinguish between real migrants that they need for their labor force. Real refugees seeking persecution and those would just coming because they've rather come for economic reasons and a better life.

So, there needs to be sustainable migration. But the ugly side of it that President Trump points to is not backed up by the fact.

GORANI: And this is coming of course against the back drop. Are the immigrant children being separated --

AMANPOUR: Right.

GORANI: -- from their parents at the border. Their families at the border and put in, you know, cage and of area --

AMANPOUR: Between Mexico and U.S.

GORANI: Exactly right. So, you have and -- and what many of the protesters we spoke you said we're not just protesting the visit were protesting those images --

AMANPOUR: And not very important. The protesting policies including what they consider to be misogynistic and sexist policy or at least sexist, misogynistic attitudes coming from the highest elected leader of the United State.

GORANI: Quick word on the meeting with the Queen tomorrow. I wonder how that.

AMANPOUR: Today.

GORANI: Today. Sorry.

AMANPOUR: This afternoon.

GORANI: Apologies, just right now. He with the Queen. That's going to be -- she's met every president except for another (INAUDIBLE).

AMANPOUR: He has.

GORANI: She's being -- it's not her first road, you know. I do wonder how that's going to go. It will be interesting.

AMANPOUR: I must say I'm quite interested in that, because clearly she also understands that there is a special relationship as the President again, reiterated then. And really elevates even higher than he has done before.

But the U.S. and the UK has been historic allied through thick and thin. Through the worst travels and the greatest triumph. But she is also somebody who believes in protocol.

GORANI: Yes. AMANPOUR: And obviously, the proper way behavior. I wonder what she will think about the President briefing against the elected Prime Minister as reported in the "Sun".

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: I really would like to know what she thinks to that and she said in the even in five handed manner.

GORANI: But there's always -- I mean, when you meet the Queen, there is a lot that you need to remember in terms of protocol etiquette. What not to do, you know, put your hand, you know, I mean, fairly Americans are much more open and warm when it comes to hand of reading.

AMANPOUR: But to remember --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- Michelle Obama --

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: -- put her hands around the Queen.

GORANI: Yes. She did.

AMANPOUR: And everybody here freaked out. Oh my god. What a bridge of protocol.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: And she wasn't. If you remember the Queen reciprocated just show everybody that it's OK. And I don't mind. So, there's, you know, it depends who I think.

GORANI: Yes.

AMANPOUR: Now, I mean, the President and Melania Trump have a 15 minutes slot.

GORANI: Think it will be interesting to see how that. Of course Christiane Amanpour, thanks very much.

Straight ahead, Donald Trump will be face to face with Vladimir Putin in the coming days. The U.S. president said, he will ask about Russia meddling in American election. We'll go to Moscow for live report. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:21:18] GORANI: When the U.S. President leaves the U, he'll head to Finland to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As to NATO summit at Thursday Donald Trump tease the controversial possibility for that meeting. He didn't rule out cancelling NATO military exercises, than the Baltic's if the Russian President asks about it. Mr. Trump said quote, "Perhaps we'll talk about that".

Just last hour at a news conference, Mr. Trump said, he will ask the Russian leader about meddling in American election.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: I know, you'll ask of what we'll be talking about meddling. And I will absolutely bring that up? I don't think you'll have any gee, I did it. I did that you got me. There won't be a paramason here. I don't think, but you never know what happens, right? But I will absolutely firmly ask the question.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GORANI: I will absolutely firmly ask the question. Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen joins me now lived from Moscow. I'm sure that people were listening quite intently to this news conference at the Kremlin, Fred.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes. They certainly were at the Kremlin. I can imagination how long. But over the past couple of weeks. They've also already said what they would say if President Trump does ask that question again, which is namely what the Russians have been saying over the past years.

Since, all of these have been initiate, which is the Russians are saying they didn't do it and they believed that the U.S. is not presented to any evidence to show that the Russian were actually behind any sort of election that link.

So, presumably he would get the same answer again. Nevertheless, of course, Hala, the summit is very important for the Russians. It's been interesting to see this were messaging coming out here in Moscow over the past couple of days in the run up to this summer.

The Kremlin has really been trying to tone it down and it's really interesting because we were on a call of what the spokesman for Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov earlier today, where he was ask about one of the things that President Trump's said. Because President Trump said, look, he might be able to become friends with Vladimir Putin.

And then, Peskov was asked for what is Vladimir Putin consider President Trump to be and he said, just a negotiating partner. And so, that's basically what the Russians are saying. To try and tone things down. They're trying to say, look, this is a meeting where they don't expect too much.

They say it's good that these two men are going to be talking. However, if you then listen to other Russian politicians. You listen to pundits here in Russia. They believe that this meeting could be a stepping stone for better relations between Russia and the United States. And they certainly believe that President Trump would be very sympathetic to that, Hala.

GORANI: And the U.S. president in this news conference by the way. Again, called someone a dishonest reporter. I think it was the reporter from NBC for daring to raise the point that the President has been, you know, saying kind things about the Russian President and has been perceived as soft on Russia.

But he said, I've been very tough on Russia. Is that a perception in Moscow and at the Kremlin that the U.S. president is tough on Russia?

PLEITGEN: Yes. I think, he said to the NBC reporter that she was almost as bad as CNN or something. I think that we probably still think the whole --

GORANI: Yes.

PLEITGEN: -- position as far as President Trump is concern. Look, I do think that the Russian's believe that the Trump administration or at least since, President Trump has become -- has come to the power that he has been very tough for them to get the relationship back on any sort of footing that they would like to have.

Obviously, there have been additional sanctions. Obviously, diplomats have been kicked out of the Unites States. Obviously, the U.S. is start to provide weapons for instance to the Ukrainians.

However, the Kremlin has always believed and Russian politician have always believe. The foreign administration here believes that President Trump is someone who is sympathetic to getting relations back on track that he wants that.

And that it's other in the American power structure in Congress. And they also believe in the media were holding that back. And now, I think they really see an in road with that summit to really get these relations going once again, Hala.

[10:25:10] GORANI: All right. And it was -- as the reporter from NBC who asked Donald Trump if he's giving Vladimir Putin the quote, "Upper hand". He ripped into her after that question. Dishonest reporting, that's what he said.

Fred Pleitgen thanks very much, live in Moscow. My colleague Max Foster is in Windsor. And in just a matter of hours, the U.S. President and First Lady Melania will be meeting the Queen. Talk to us about what we're expecting just in the next few hours in Windsor, Max.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Some live relief from the politics is what you can expect Hala because the Queen stays run away from politics.

We heard about how much President Trump admires the Queen in the article this morning in the "Sun" newspaper is looking forward to it. His mother was a big fan. His mother used to make him watched the Queen when she came on TV

We've also learned that Melania is big fan of the Queen as well. But the Queen will stay out of politics. And this is the opportunity really for her to represent the British public and say that the, you know, save life relationship if you like between the United States and United Kingdom.

The special relationship. So, that's what we're going to see this afternoon. He's going to write. There will be some ceremonial. The caution guards will play the national anthems of both countries.

We won't hear any words. We don't expect although this is Donald Trump. They'll expect the guards. And then, that will be in the private quarters of the castle behind me. And then, they'll go inside the tea just the three of them, the First Lady, the President and the Queen seating in a room having tea.

They will be some staff in there hoping to serve, but apart from that no one is going to be in the room. So, the interesting to hear what they have to say. But traditions dictates that these conversations on leak. But we're talking about President Trump here. So, may be we'll hear a word or two.

GORANI: Right. And quickly where they won't be video or some photos of the -- this 15 minute meeting with the Queen where they'll be having tea?

FOSTER: Nothing inside. They'll be a couple of opportunities floor photographers to take pictures on the way in and in the quarter angle outside.

Those pictures will become part of Anglo-American history. If we show you the other president's, the Queen has met over the years. She's met 11 out of the 12 U.S. presidents during her reign. So, President Trump will be the 12th one. And this is an image that goes down in the royal history book. Into some extent the American history books as well. The Queen is the longest standing head of state in the world. She's revered by many around the world.

So, this is a photo that everyone -- every U.S. president arguably should have the most those album.

GORANI: Max Foster, live in Windsor. Thanks very much. We continue to show you there on the right hand side of your screen, protests in Central London. Tens of thousands of people protesting the visit of the U.S. president. But also, many of the protesters telling up not just his visit. But the policy especially immigration policies that the president support and is putting into practice in the United States.

The president, again, minutes ago. There are checkers the Prime Minister residence outside of London saying immigration is bad for Europe. It's very negative for Europe and that it damages the fabric and the culture of Europe.

We've talked about upcoming meetings with the Russian leader and the British Queen. Up next, more announces of Mr. Trump relationship with Prime Minister Theresa May. A relationship that he's showing signs of improving after backlash to a "Sun" tabloid interview. That was probably much overnight. He's called her terrific and incredible. And that he'd rather have her as a friend and as an enemy. We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:31:18] HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our special edition of the show, I'm Hala Gorani, we're coming to you live from London.

It's been a quite a whirlwind visit for Donald Trump in the U.K. Just a short time ago he held a news conference with Prime Minister Theresa May walking hand and hand to their podiums and talking about their close ties and the special relationship between the U.S. and the U.K.

It was quite a contrast for Mr. Trump's interview Thursday evening with Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid in which the U.S. President was critical of May especially her breakfast plans. But when standing side by side, it seemed the only thing they really disagreed about was immigration, listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I just think it's changing the culture, I think it's a very negative thing for Europe. I think it's very negative. I think having Germany and I have a great relationship with Angela Merkel, great relationship with Germany. But I think it's very much hurt Germany, I think it's very much hurt other parts of Europe. And I know it's politically not necessarily correct to say that, but I'll say it and I'll say it loud.

THERESA MAY, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: The U.K. has a proud history of welcoming people who are fleeing persecution to our country. We have a proud history of welcoming people who want to come to our country to contribute to our economy and contribute to our society.

And over the years overall immigration has been good for the U.K. It's brought people with different backgrounds, different outlooks here to the U.K. and has -- and we've seen them contributing to our society and to our economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GORANI: All right, Theresa May there with an answer on immigration or statement on immigration that is standing somewhat in contrast to what the U.S. President had to say.

Although she mentioned a proud history of welcoming people fleeing persecution and it has to be noted and that very small handful of instance of Syrian refugees in the time we think (ph) was having admitted into this country a much, much smaller a number than other countries like Germany and Sweden for instance.

We continue to broadcast these live images of protest in Central London against the visit of the President of the United States. CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson joins me now with more there.

You heard that news conference and the president of the United States really, really dialing back pretty much everything that he was good at at saying and that's on newspaper interview, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, I think what I picture for this world was Theresa May assiduously avoiding essentially confronting him or trying to say to him, no, you got it wrong. This is what I say also. She's really careful on that point about immigration there. She heard what President Trump had to say, it's clearly not her view that she's told him what she thinks about immigration before or she put her view forward very straightly.

But, you know, in a situation like this when you have verbal shots fired as President Trump did in the Sun newspaper, they ricochet around. They cause -- it may have impact, so they cause injury. And what we've seen Theresa May in right now is damage limitation. He's trying to map it up as to staunch -- as to staunch the damage and continue.

She as we know, is in a very fragile political position. She needs Britain's alliance with the United States. She needs not to further out the way in a spot with President Trump because he's criticized that. She needs to have the ability to continue to survive politically despite his criticism, because the criticism precisely undermines her with the things members of her own party would like to try to bring her downfall. Maybe the timing isn't quite right for them now, but they'll be trying to do that in a few months.

[10:35:03] So, as much as she can to hold her ground, she did lay out every time she got the opportunity why she thinks her version, her plan to Brexit is the right one for Britain and that will leave us still in an opportunity to trade with the United States in the future.

This is damage limitation on her part. She's holding the high diplomatic moral ground if you will, but the reality is this is damage control, damage limitation, she wants to survive politically. Hala?

GORANI: Nic Robertson, thanks very much there outside the U.S. ambassador's residence in Central London.

What you're seeing on the right-hand sight of your screen are images of live protest unfolding in the British Capital. The U.S. president has said that people like him in Britain, the people on the streets of London today who have organized this big demonstration certainly would not agree with him.

We're going to continue to cover the U.S. president's trip to the U.K. after a quick break. Stay with us, it's 3:35 p.m. in London.

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GORANI: Well, Donald Trump has brought his brush reputation with him to Europe criticizing NATO allies, attacking U.K. Brexit plan. Thousands of people have gathered in London to protest Mr. Trump's visit.

Let's get some analysis with our guests, Dr. Brian Klass, he's Comparative Politics Fellow for London School of Economics. He joins me now from our London Studios. With me here is Kate Andrews, News Editor at the Institute of Economic Affairs. Thanks very much.

And Kate, if you could look into that camera, we're trying to get everybody on the screen together at the same time.

Let me start with you Brian, what did you make of this news conference here with the U.S. president basically dialing back pretty much everything he said in that Sun interview and his criticism of Theresa May?

BRIAN KLASS, COMPARATIVE POLITICS FELLOW, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: Well, it's whiplash because the interview that he gave and the press conference that he gave sounded like they came from two different people. And Donald Trump did the damage already. I mean, the Sun interview was like tossing a grenade into the heart of the British government.

There was damage control efforts and Trump did say, "I want to apologize apparently to Theresa May", which are words that he very, very rarely says. So, that's good because the special relationship is extremely important to both countries. But that being said the interview did the damage on British soil, you know, there was this release publication of basically an interview that undercuts Theresa May's prime ministership at a time which is extremely vulnerable and that will not go away with that press conference.

GORANI: And Kate, let me ask you this because how does this -- does this strengthen Theresa May's hand? Because it was like she's weathering every storm right now.

KATE ANDREWS, NEWS EDITOR, INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS: Not dramatically so. I think the damage was already done with that Sun Newspaper interview. It was obvious that the U.S. President disagree with Mrs. May's decisions to proceed a softer Brexit.

It's hard to know where Donald Trump's heart really is at. He does change many of his opinions on a whim. But it seems pretty obvious, especially from the US's perspective wanting to get a free trade agreement with the U.K. regardless of whether that Donald Trump or any other president. And now Donald Trump will be disappointed that she's gone for a path. It's going to make that a lot harder.

[10:40:00] GORANI: Why is Donald Trump ideologically aligned with those allies excuses, Kate, ideologically aligned with those who want a hard Brexit who do not trust international organizations, who don't trust, you know, the European Union, who want to break up big alliances. Why does he believe it and the US's (ph) President Trump?

KATE: I'm not sure it's so obvious the hard Brexit here don't believe in bigger alliances. There's a different between being a part of Europe and institutions that you choose to interact with and being a part of the E.U., big alliances can have offer security, they can offer finance and they can also offer a lot of bureaucracy and red tapes I guess in a way.

I think on the point of Brexit in particular, Donald Trump will be looking at this from a free trade perspective. Obviously the U.S. is trying to get its own free trade deal with the E.U., it would probably be easier and faster actually to do that with the U.K. if the U.K. could diverse from regulatory alignment with the E.U.

So, I think he'll be looking at this in particular from a trade perspective, but I don't think all Brexiteers would agree with his positions on NATO or other big bodies.

GORANI: Well, and also the regulatory alignment Brian Klass, I'm not sure if that's something that the U.K. can escape. I mean if anything, if it wants to continue trading at the same level with the E.U. and we'll have to follow the same rules, won't it?

KLASS: Yes. And I think that's one of the main challenges is trying to figure out, not just what Trump thinks, but also what the timing of all this is. Because with the transition period that's been proposed, it may be possible that any sort of trade deal that would take effect between the U.S. and the U.K. would only happen after Trump leaves office if he were to lose reelection or not run for a second term in 2020.

So, there's still the possibility that this strategic realignment of U.K. policy towards getting a U.S. trade deal may end up getting blown apart by political changes in the United States that are still unperceived, not only in the midterm elections coming up in November, but also in 2020.

GORANI: And Kate, of course that's not all they talked about. They talked about the upcoming meetings with Vladimir Putin, the U.S. President blaming the annexation of Crimea stunningly on Barack Obama. He said it wouldn't have -- he said it wouldn't have happened if I had been president. What did you make of that?

KATE: Well, we've heard this from the President before, this is not new news. He tends to point blame everywhere but not himself, and he tends to point blame in areas that he shouldn't.

So, you know, I think we take that with the pensions but we've heard it before. We've heard these arguments before and there's obviously another side to that story. But I think what's really crucial between the conversation that they had probably privately, but then what was seen in public is the fact that the special relationship still is intact as Brian pointed out.

You know, this goes far past the person who called the position of leadership at the time. And U.S.-U.K. free trade deal probably would take place after 2020. But it's not obvious that Donald Trump is the only one who would want that, it would be good for U.S. consumers, it'd be good for British consumers and any president setting into that. The shift of that time would probably won't the same.

GORANI: Kate Andrews and Brian Klass, thanks very much to both of you for joining us. Thanks for watching, I'm Hala Gorani, World Sports is next. More news in 15 minutes.

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[10:45:19] CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there and welcome along to CNN World Sport with me Christina Macfarlane.

After 62 games and 161 goals, we are now counting down to the 2018 World Cup final. There's a what has been perhaps the most thrilling, most surprising football World Cup in history.

It continued with Croatia becoming the smallest nation to reach the final in 68 years on Wednesday, but how will it conclude? France becoming World Cup Champion for the second time in their history or Croatia celebration their biggest ever sporting achievement?

Well, let's laid out who the underdog will be. France of a population size just so to 16 times that of Croatia, and of twice before appeared in the finals of the World Cup taking the only title back in '98.

Meanwhile, Croatia have earned their first final birth the hard way, three punishing extra time matches in a row. Meaning, the Croats have collected, they spent 90 more minutes from the pitch (ph) in France. Coach Zlatko Dalic says tiredness will not be an option comes Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZLATKO DALIC, CROATIA COACH (through translator): We have the hardest part and we will be the only team who played eight games at the World Cups. Players invested so much effort and energy, but it seems to me that the more difficult to distress (ph) the better we play. So I'm not afraid what will happen on Sunday.

Perhaps have additional rest days, but we will rest in a few break it needs to three days.

There are no excuses now. This is the final and we have to be ready and give everything we can. The only play ones in the World Cup final.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: And we know that Croatia, another verse to grinding out a wind in this World Cup. But it may take more than that if they're to topple France's star studded side. Earlier, Football Writer and Broadcaster James Horncastle spoke to me about his prediction for the final.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES HORNCASTLE, ENLISH FOOTBALL WRITER AND BROADCASTER: I think France on the stand would be favorites, because they've just got such a glittering array of talents. They probably got play outs (ph), so I think it's rivaling Croatia's Luka Modric for the golden bowl just cleaning that day (ph).

And maybe someone has got understated as well N'Golo Kante who a couple of year ago was the PFA player of the year here and I think he's had a really good tournament.

I just think France have shown they're able to win in 90 minutes, Croatia haven't and they not get rounds, but they've also got odds. This is no how to control games, so I think I'll say of them good stud in this game.

MACFARLANE: If Croatia are to succeed, what do they need to do to turn the match in their favor?

HORNCASTLE: Well, I think they probably need to get into extra time that has suited them over so well so far in the tournament. But, no, I think they have to win that midfield battle.

I think it's going to be really interesting because you got some really skillful technicians in that Croatian midfield of Modric, Brozovic, and Rakitic going as somewhat more physical bunch but plays a team play in part (ph) of Kante and Matuidi. I think whoever comes out better in that particular of the pitch win the game.

MACFARLANE: I mean we've talked about this a lot in the last few weeks, these long matches that Croatia have been playing in the final stages. And we worry of talking about it now of course because of what Luka Modric said after --

HORNCASTLE: Yes.

MACFARLANE: -- winning against England, but should it still be a factor as we head into the finals?

HORNCASTLE: I mean, it has to be. I find it staggering that it didn't take its toll against England. Also, you know, overall now they've played an extra game in France because they've been in extra time three times 30 minutes is 90 minutes.

So, France in addition to, you know, played less. They've actually had an extra rest day in the mean time as well. So, surely that's got to count, but so far Croatia have shown as all to be fools in thinking that they're tired.

MACFARLANE: Yes, and there's a degree of redemption of cause involved in this having lost the final two years ago for France. How much of you seen these players mature over the course of two years?

HORNCASTLE: I think everyone thinks that the game against Argentina was the standout performance of France in this World Cup. But I was actually impressed about what they did against Europe wide, Belgium which was a very mature performance where they're always in control, and that I think is exactly what a team show. And they're still a very young group who plays. So, to be able to show that level of maturity is great.

I think they have to some extent have learned from the experience of two years ago, however, on that occasion they did lose when the game went to extra time. All of this omens --

MACFARLANE: The risings on the wall potentially there. Yes. So, our final words as goal from you for Sundays final.

HORNCASTLE: I think France will edge this. I think It'll be two now.

(END VIDEOTAPE) MACFARLANE: We will wait to see if he is right, James Honrcastle there.

Now, by the look of it, we've got another Wimbledon marathon on the way at the All England Club. And Tennessee's biggest rivalry for news later on Friday, and no, it's not Federer against Nadal.

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[10:51:50] MACFARLANE: We're back with the news. Antonio Conte and Chelsea have finally parted ways after speculation for months that the Italian manager was on his way out.

Earlier today, the club released a good statement thanking the 48 year old first time at Chelsea where he won the leagues title in his first season in charge and more recently the F.A. Cup. It's why they expected that Former Napoli Manager Maurizo Sarri will take over. He will become Chelsea's 8th full time manager in a decade.

Just south of the River Thames in London, the first if Wimbledon's men's semi-finals is underway between two of the tallest, biggest servers (ph) American's John Isner and South Africa's Kevin Anderson. For more, let's go live to our Tennis Writer and Broadcaster Ravi Ubha who's at the All England Club.

And Ravi, as expected, it looks like we're in for another long whole five sets between two of the tallest men on tour right now.

RAVI UBHA, TENNIS WRITER AND COMMENTATOR: Christina, what is it with five setters at Wimbledon. You know, ten years they only had probably the greatest tennis match of all time, five sets between the Nadal- Federer, Isner and Mahut in 2010 going 70, 68, a match that was played over three days.

And as you mentioned, this one could also go five sets between Isner and Kevin Anderson, two of the biggest service in the game may lead the two on actually (ph) is number one and number two.

Now, third game of this first set, Isner had a goal the chance to break, had break chances, couldn't do it, but still at a tie break at a 4-2 lead and lost it. He's able to come back and win the second set, but some drama in this third set because Anderson became the first man to break Isner's entire tournament.

He took a five three league, but incredibly he couldn't serve it out. It's almost like we got to go (ph) on another tie break and, you know, the match started at around 1:00 local time Christina.

Hey, this one could end around 6:00 or 7:00 local time which will be a bad news for the second semifinal round.

I mean, some history going to be made because if Anderson wins, the first South African man to make it this far to go to the finals since 1921. And it will be the first American to make it since Andy Roddick in 2009 all to play for his self.

MACFARLANE: Yes. And bad news, well, because as you know Ravi, we have a thrilling clash coming up next on Centre Court.

The semifinal that kind of feels more like a final Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal. As you know that two have served out some of the greatest matches we've ever seen in grand slam tennis. Tell us what makes this rivalry so special?

UBHA: Well, you know, you have two of the greatest all time in tennis. You have Nadal has won 17 majors, you have Djokovic that has won 12. We have this grand slam winners going head to head, it all us makes for compelling viewing.

They're also two of the best athletes on the tour, two with the best competitors the game has ever seen. I think Nadal probably is the best competitor tennis has ever seen. So that tells you how good Djokovic is to have a winning record against Nadal of 26 and 25. He's just two, one of two active players to have winning record against Nadal.

He's playing much better tennis now and it would be a remarkable, probably we would say come back for Djokovic, because we have to go back 2016, the last time he won a major. Since that time private issues which he didn't want to discuss, there is an elbow injury which he had to have surgery around earlier in the campaign, he brought in a new team lead by Andre Agassi and also Radek Stepanek, but he, you know, chuck (ph) them by the wing side just a couple of months ago and then back with the very influential Marian Vajda. And things seem to be working very well.

[10:55:07] And I think today, Christina, first set is going to be very important because in their 51 matches, the player (ph) that has won the first set, has won 44 times 86 percent. So, hey, it's going to be a remarkable day. We could have ten sets of tennis today on the semifinals.

MACFARLANE: Yes, a remarkable day. So much history as you mentioned there on the line on this game. Ravi, a quick prediction from you for that big semifinal between Nadal and Djokovic?

UBHA: Well, Christy put me on the spot. I think Djokovic is going to have the edge physically, and only for that reason I'm going to pick him while I'm out of this goal France went (ph) me along Sunday.

MACFARLANE: All right, we will watch and wait and see if you're right. So Ravi Ubha there from Wimbledon thanks so much.

And that is it for this edition of World Sport, but do stay with us for new that's coming up right after the break.

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