Transcripts For MSNBCW MSNBC Live 20170213

Theyve been meeting for the last couple of hours, all as President Trump is dealing with National Security headlines, including questions about his National Security adviser Michael Flynn. Thin ice, hot seat, whatever you want to call it, Michael Flynn is in it, not just because of questions about what he discussed with the Russian Ambassador prior to President Trump taking office, particularly these electionrelated sanctions against moscow, but for a number of other reasons. Sources telling nbc news that President Trump is disturbed by the way that flynn has handled some different situations related to National Security. Its making for a tense situation when it comes to him. Our sources tell us chief of staff reince priebus, speculated to also be on potentially rocky waters, is actually fine, according to four sources inside and outside the white house who say that priebus is safe. We expect them to walk in any minute now in the east room. And think about this too, this is the second president ial press conference that President Trump has held just in these last two weekdays. Hes got another one later this week when the israeli Prime Minister comes to visit as well. Its an opportunity for the members of the media to gather here in what is a very tight squeeze, to address issues important to the nation. Thanks, hallie, let us know when you get the twominute warning for the start of this event. Lets hear from the president of the council of Foreign Relations, richard haas, welcome to you, first of all. Great to be here. Hard to know where to begin. But lets begin with the relationship between these two countries and the country we americans specifically grew up being told were our Good Neighbors to the north. This is probably the most intimate Foreign Relationship the United States has, indeed its so intimate its not really a Foreign Relationship, its an extension of many domestic things. Economically were integrated. Security, were integrated against the kind of threats we dealt with during the colder war as well as the more recent terrorism kinds of threats. Trade, an enormous percentage of ca canadas exports, 75, 80 come to the United States. Millions of american jobs are dependent on canada. So many things pingpong across the border several times as they get built. About the Foreign Policy shop in this still very new white house, we have general flynn, the former threestar, National Security adviser to the president , who is said to be on quite thin ice and whose future may depend on the existence or the content of some transcripts that were intercepted by u. S. Intelligence officials as a matter of course. We also have this odd tableau at maralago this past weekend. The North Koreans launch a missile, and instead of going to a tank or a secured location, dinner continues apace at maralago, because the president s guest of honor is the head of the nation of japan, perhaps number one, two, or three most impacted by a Missile Launch by north korea. What do you make of any or all of it . Longer conversation about north korea. But that is going to be potentially the real Foreign Policy National Security crisis, not thats selfgenerated by the Trump Administration like so many others, but thats just going to happen. Japan, south korea, and the United States are going to have to come to a common policy. South korea could be the weak link in that when we see how their own president ial impeachment process goes. The larger question of general flynn is not just what he said and when he said it in his various conversations with the russians and the Vice President. But the National Security process isnt working now. The question is, is it general flynn or more broadly, something about this white house . Theres a lot of cooks in the kitchen. The president himself is doing his tweets. An awful lot of people who should be working there cant, because of letters and statements they made during the campaign. Secretary of state and secretary of defense cant get the deputies they want. This is not working. One hopes, prays, they get this right and in place before a real crisis comes to us. Of the generals who are frequent visitors, speakers, participants at the council on Foreign Relations, as we have come to know in the modern era, they really are warrior scholars, so many of them have advanced degrees from ivy league institutions. General flynn, and i think this is fair, came from a more finite and focused background, almost peculiarly limited. Yes, brent scowcroft, for example, came from a much more intellectual background. Youve got to be the counselor to the president , the coordinator, the traffic cop, to make sure everything is looked at rigorously, carefully. You dont have the sort of thing done as was done with the guidelines on Homeland Security and so forth. Either general flynn has to be able to do it, and he has to be backed, or they have to bring in somebody else. More important, i would argue, the president has to decide to empower his National Security adviser. That has implications for a lot of other people returning around the west wing. We resume that job of National Security adviser brings with it a view of the world, especially when you come from the Intelligence Community. But does it help, is it necessary to have a world view . Absolutely. This administrations Foreign Policy, at least rhetorically, has mainly been about disruption, the health care equivalent of repeal. But whats the replace . What is is their definition of success . What is their definition of order . How will they know if we succeed . Its one thing to say nafta is flawed, but what are you going to put in it place . Not just with canada but with mexico. Ironically, if they dont get it right, it could hurt the economy of mexico, with the bizarre result of increasing immigration problems with the United States, which flies in the face of President Trumps priorities. Theyve got to work this out not only on the political side but on the economic and trade side. This is why you need a broad, functioning National Security warning. We think aware here our twominute warning. Richard haas will be staying with us. Lets bring in former u. S. Ambassador to canada, gordon griffin, from 97 to 01. You can tell us about these two characters who at least by our looking at it could not be more different. Well, thats probably right. But over the course of our history, weve had different characters leading the two different countries. And the weight of the relationship and the history of the relationship sort of overpower it. As long as people of good faith are running the two countries, i think you can find that well Work Together seamlessly as richard haas just described. We are so integrated that we really dont export and import. We make things together. The average car thats manufactured, socalled, in detroit, actually crosses the border with ontario about seven times. So weve got a very integrated economy in north america. Remember, the nafta agreement really was the canada u. S. Free trade agreement with mexico hung on the back. That may have been a little premature. Mexico wasnt a developed economy at the time, didnt have the kind of social or governmental institutions necessary to collaborate in that threeparty agreement. So a renegotiation or a redo of nafta is not totally illogical. It was negotiated before the internet. Theres a lot of things about naphtin half nafta are old. A lot of it needs to be not j k junked, but innovationforwardlooking. Its an old agreement. For american viewers getting their first glimpse, their first taste of Justin Trudeau at this event today, what should we know about him . Dynamic, very talented young man. The first time i saw him is when he gave the eulogy at his fathers funeral. I was ambassador. I took jimmy carter, our former president who served with mr. Trudeau the first, and when i had never seen Justin Trudeau before, and he gave the eulogy at that funeral. I sat there and said, theres a star on the rise at the time. I think hes a remarkable talent. I think he can be a big part of continuing the chemistry that spans the 49th parallel. The kinds of things were involved in together are unlike another two countries. We tend to focus on whats going back and forth across our common border. But were engaged all around the world together as partners on advancing market economies, on advancing democratic principles. The partnership with canada, there are plenty of times when canada has to be the lead horse in the parade, if you will, because if the United States tries to advance an idea, it will be disagreed with by some of our friends around the world, where if the canadians advance it, its more wellreceived. The ambassador is staying with us, richard haas is staying with us, and im told katy tur, who is in new york and covered the trump campaign, im told by katy that we have the twominute warning. Why dont you wildly speculate about the kinds of questions well hear. Reporter well get questions about immigration, refugees, the travel ban. After it was announced, Justin Trudeau took to twitter himself and said canada welcomes refugees and theyll be welcomed across the borders. Weve already seen an influx of refugees crossing into canada over the american border. There is a question whether canada will lure tech talent, since the u. S. Is seeming a more potentially hostile place for refugees. Kellyanne conway, jared, theyre all there in the front row. Reporter theyre all there. The big question is whether general mike flynn will show up. We saw him show up to the donald trump Prime Minister Abe Press Conference last week, on friday. Im told general flynn is there, i did not see him walk in. Its notable that as all that general flynn news was breaking about him talking to the Russian Ambassador, was breaking on friday, he did walk in, he sat down. Vice president mike pence walked right over to him and shook his hand, gave him a smile. It will be very interesting today. Donald trump enters this room after another difficult weekend where press and Media Coverage and depictions are concerned, perhaps you saw saturday need live, we need not add to that record. But donald trump enters this room with two very important aides under a microscope, and perhaps with a target around them, and that is chief of staff reince priebus, he of course came from the rnc, and as weve been discussing, general flynn, the former threestar general famously relieved of duty by president obama, who has now taken up his post, and a critical post it is in the west wing. The president and the canadian Prime Minister were seen walking down the portico alongside the rose garden after the initial meeting they had. They were going to have lunch in the mansion portion of the white house. This was earlier, on their way to lunch. Then they were going to come back up. This is just right along the portico, we would be standing in the middle of the lawn in the rose garden to take these pictures. Then the two men presumably are right at the other side of those wooden doors, about to come out. We should be on the raggedy g ye of that twominute warning. The rules for this kind of thing call for whats called two and two, two questions from the visiting press corps, canadian journalists, and two questions from the White House Press corps. If youve been watching, however, people like katy tur have led to question creep, four or five questions. Reporter thats because donald trump doesnt answer the question asked or answers in a way that leads to i dont want to say correction but sometimes correction is needed, or sean spicer, white house spokesman, will need that as well. So were seeing that more in these White House Press briefings. These News Conferences are taking, as you said, brian, quite a different turn than we have seen with past president s. We saw when he was standing at the lectern alongside german chancellor Angela Murkel im sorry, theresa may. Theresa may, the Prime Minister of the uk. Im getting ahead of myself already. He called her theresa the whole time, mispronouncing her name slightly. But he didnt have prepared remarks. Prime minister abe, that press conference, he did have prepared remarks, but he didnt actually put in the translating earpiece that he would have needed to understand the Prime Minister of japans opening remarks. That is unless donald trump learned japanese fluently, we do not know if he knows japanese fluently, we dont suspect that he does. That was a more contentious News Conference because the first two questions, the New York Post and then fox news, both of which were about this travel ban, the courts striking it down. Trump even tried to end the News Conference a little bit early, and Prime Minister abe had to remind him that a japanese journalist had one more question allotted to them, and they waited and asked another one. So were going to find out what sort of mood donald trump is in with the Prime Minister of canada. He seems to be in a better mood than he was in on friday, of course friday was a tougher day. And here they are, theyre coming out. The wooden doors have opened, both leaders are coming out. Thank you. Prime minister trudeau, on behalf of all americans, i thank you for being with us today. It is my honor to host such a great friend, neighbor, and ally at the white house. A very special place. This year, canada celebrates the 150th year of confederation. For americans, this is one of the many milestones in our friendship, and we look forward, very much forward, i must say, to many more to come. Our two nations share much more than a border. We share the same values. We share the love and a truly great love of freedom. And we share a collective defense. American and canada troops have gone to battle together, fought wars together, and forged the special bonds that come when two nations have shed their blood together, which we have. In these dangerous times, it is more important than ever that we continue to strengthen our vital alliance. The United States is deeply grateful for canadas contribution to the counter isis effort. Thank you. And we continue to work in common and in common cause against terrorism, and work in common cooperation toward reciprocal trade and shared growth. We understand that both of our countries are stronger when we join forces in matters of international commerce. Having more jobs and trade right here in north america is better for both the United States and it is also much better for canada. We should coordinate closely and we will coordinate closely to protect jobs in our hemisphere and keep wealth on our continent and to keep everyone safe. Prime minister, i pledge to work with you in pursuit of our many shared interests. This includes a stronger trading relationship between the United States and canada. It includes safe, efficient, and responsible crossborder travel and migration, and it includes Close Partnership on domestic and interNational Security. America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like canada. We have before us the opportunity to build even more bridges, and bridges of cooperation, and bridges of commerce. Both of us are committed to bringing greater prosperity and opportunity to our people. We just had a very productive meeting, with Women Business leaders from the United States and canada, where we discussed how to secure everything that we know, the full power of women can do better than anybody else. We know that. I just want to say, mr. Prime minister, that im focused and youre focused on the Important Role women play in our economies. We must work to address the barriers faced by women and Women Entrepreneurs, including access to capital, access to markets, and, very importantly, access to networks. In our discussion today, we will focus on improving the ways our government and our governments together can benefit citizens of both the United States and canada, and in so doing, advance the Greater Peace and stability of the world. Mr. Prime minister, i look forward to working closely with you to build upon our very historic friendship. There are incredible possibilities for us to pursue. Canada and the United States together. Again, thank you for joining us. And i know our discussions will be very, very productive for the future of both countries. Mr. Prime minister. Thank you, mr. President. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you very much for joining us. I would like to start by extending sincere thanks to President Trump for inviting me to washington, particularly when its so nice and warm compared to what it is back home. We are suffering under a significant winter storm thats hitting our atlantic provinces particularly harsh. I just want to send everyone back home my thoughts as they shovel out and impress on everyone to stay safe. Translator the president and myself have had a very productive first meeting today. We had the opportunity to get to know one another better. And more importantly, we had the opportunity to talk about the unique relationship between canada and the United States. On both sides of the 49th parallel have understood that the bond between our nations is a special one. No other neighbors in the entire world are as fundamentally linked as we are. We have fought in conflict zones together, negotiated environmental treaties together including 1991s historic air quality agreement. And weve entered into groundbreaking economic partnerships that have created good jobs for both of our peoples. Canadians and americans alike share a common history as well as people to people ties that make us completely and totally integrated. Our workers are connected by trade, transportation, and crossborder commerce. Our communities rely on each other for security, stability, and economic prosperity. Our families have long lived together and worked together. We know that more often than not, our victories are shared. And just as we celebrate together, so too do we suffer loss and heartbreak together. Through it all, the foundational pillar upon which our relationship is built is one of mutual respect. And thats a good thing, because as we know, relationships between neighbors are pretty complex. And we wont always agree on everything. But because of our deep, abiding respect for one another, were able to successfully navigate those complexities and still remain the closest of allies and friends. Make no mistake, at the end of the day, canada and the u. S. Will always remain each others most essential partner. And todays conversations have served to reinforce how important that is for both canadians and americans. As we know, 35 u. S. States list canada as their largest export market and our economies benefit from the over 2 billion in twoway trade that takes place every single day. Millions of good middle class jobs on both sides of the border depend on this crucial partnership. Maintaining strong, economic ties is vital to our mutual success and were going to continue to work closely together over the coming years so the canadian and American Families can get ahead. Translator as we know, 35 u. S. States list canada as their largest export market and our economies benefit from the over 2 billion in twoway trade that takes place every single day. Millions of good middle class jobs on both sides of the border depend on this crucial partnership. Maintaining strong economic ties is vital to our mutual success and were going to continue to work closely together over the coming years so that canadian and American Families can get ahead. That President Trump and i discussed today. At the end of the day, the president and i share a common goal. We both want to make sure that hard working folks can go to work at a good job, put food on the table for their families, and save up to take a vacation every once in a while. Thats what were trying to do here. Today, we reiterated that our nations are committed to collaborating on Energy Infrastructure projects that will create jobs while respecting the environment. And as we know, investing in infrastructure is a great way to create the kind of Economic Growth that our countries so desperately need. In that same vein, we know that ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workforce is essential for growing the economy and maintaining american and canadian competitiveness on the world stage. As such, the president and i have agreed to the creation of the canada United States council for advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. This initiative is more than just about dollars and cents. This is about ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities as men and prioritizing the support and empowerment of women who are senior Business Leaders and entrepreneurs. In doing so, well grow the canadian and american economies and help our businesses prosper. Translator finally, President Trump and myself have agreed to Work Together to fight against the traffic of opioids across our border. The rise of illegal use of opioids in our society is nothing less than a tragedy. We will do everything we can to ensure the safety of canadians and americans. Ladies and gentlemen, President Trump, i know that if our countries continue to Work Together, our people will greatly benefit from this cooperation. Time and again, in order to tackle our most pressing issues, both foreign and domestic, we must work with our closest allies. Learn from each other. And stand in solidarity as a united voice. With a level of economic and social integration that is unmatched on the world stage, canada and the United States will forever be a model example of how to be Good Neighbors. Winston churchill once said that long canadian frontier from the atlantic to the Pacific Oceans guarded only by neighborly respect and honorable obligations is an example to every country and a pattern for the future of the world. That, my friends, is the very essence of the canada u. S. Relationship. I look forward to working with President Trump over the coming years to nurture and build upon this historic partnership. Once again, its a tremendous pleasure to be here in washington. Merci beaucoup. Translator thank you very much. Well take a couple of questions. Scott . Reporter thank you, mr. President. You just spoke about the desire to build bridges although there are some notable and philosophical differences between yourself and Prime Minister trudeau. How do you see this relationship playing out, and are there any specific areas with which during your conversations today, you each decided to perhaps alter or amend your stances already on those sensitive issues like terrorism and immigration . And Prime Minister trudeau, while only in its infancy so far, how do you see this relationship compared that with the obama relationship . Were going to have a great relationship with canada, hopefully as good or better than before. We have some wonderful ideas on immigration. We have some i think very strong, very tough ideas on the tremendous problem that we have with terrorism. And i think when we put them all together, which will be very, very quickly, we have a group of very talented people, we will see some very, very obvious results. Were also doing some crossborder things that will make it a lot easier, a lot bethebeth better, a lot faster for trade. We have some great ideas and them be implemented very quickly. One of the things we spoke about was the fact that security and immigration need to work very well together. Certainly canada has emphasized security as we look towards improving our immigration system and remaining true to the values we have. We had a very strong and fruitful discussion on exactly that. Theres plenty that we can draw on each other from in terms of how we move forward with a very similar goal, which is to create free, open societies that keep our citizens safe. And thats certainly something that were very much in agreement on. Charles . Reporter mr. President , mr. Prime minister, and mr. Prime minister, could you answer in english and french for us please, a little bit of a followon on my american colleagues question. President trump, you seemed to suggest that Syrian Refugees are a trojan horse for potential terrorism. While the Prime Minister hugs refugees and welcomes them with open arms. I would like to know, are you confident the northern border is secure . You can never be totally confident. But through the incredible efforts already, i see it happening, of formerly general kelly, now secretary kelly, we have really done a great job. Were actually taking people that are criminals, very, very hardened criminals in some cases, with a tremendous track record of abuse and problems, and were getting them out. And thats what i said i would do. Im just doing what i said i would do. We won by a very, very large Electoral College vote. And i knew that was going to happen. I knew this is what people were wanting. That wasnt the only reason. That wasnt my only thing that we did so well on. But that was something that was very important. And i had we will get the criminals out, the drug lords, the gang members, were getting them out. General kelly, who is sitting right here, is doing a fantastic job. And i said at the beginning, we are going to get the bad ones, the really bad ones, were getting them out. And thats exactly what were doing. I think that in the end, everyone is going to be extremely happy. And i will tell you right now, a lot of people are very, very happy right now. Canada has always understood that keeping canadians safe is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any government. Thats certainly something were very much focused on. At the same time, we continue to pursue our policies of openness towards immigration, refugees, without compromising security. Part of the reason we have been successful in doing that over the past year, welcoming close to 40,000 Syrian Refugees, is because we have been coordinating with our allies, the United States and around the world, to demonstrate that security comes very seriously to us, and thats something that we continue to deal with. Translator it is clear that if you want to have a healthy and secure society, a safe society, you have to make sure that you maintain that you focus on security. And we have welcomed refugees from syria. We have been very successful. But we have always taken our responsibility towards security very seriously. And our allies, including the United States, understand this focus very well. And they have done so since the very beginning. Reporter President Trump, now that youve been in office and received Intelligence Briefings for nearly one month, what do you see as the most important National Security matters facing us . And Prime Minister trudeau, youve made very clear that canada has an open door policy for Syrian Refugees. Do you believe that President Trumps moratorium on immigration has merit on National Security grounds . Okay. Thank you. Many, many problems. When i was campaigning, i had its not a good situation. Now that i see it, including with our Intelligence Briefings, we have problems that a lot of people have no idea how bad they are, how serious they are. Not only internationally, but when you come right here. Obviously north korea is a big, big problem. And we will deal with that very strongly. We have problems all over the middle east. We have problems just about every corner of the globe, no matter where you look. I had a great meeting this weekend with Prime Minister abe of japan, and got to know each other very, very well, extended weekend, really. We were with each other for long periods of time. And our staffs and representatives. But on the home front, we have to create borders. We have to let people who can love our country in. I want to do that. I want a big, beautiful open door for people who come into our country. But we cannot let the wrong people in. And i will not allow that to happen during this administration. And people, citizens of our country, want that. And thats their attitude too, ill tell you. We are getting such praise for our stance. And its a stance of common sense. Maybe a certain toughness. But its really more than toughness. Its a stance of common sense. And we are going to pursue it vigorously. And we dont want to have our country have the kinds of problems that youre witnessing taking place, not only here but all over the world. We wont stand for it. We wont put up with it. Were just not going to let it happen. Were going to give ourselves every bit of chance so that things go well for the United States. And they will go well. Thank you. Canada and the United States have been neighbors a long time. And canadians and americans have stood together, worked together, at home and around the world. Weve fought and died together on battlefields in world war i and world war ii, in korea, in afghanistan. But there have been times where we have differed in our approaches. And thats always the been done firmly and respectfully. The last thing canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves. My role, our responsibility, is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects canadians proposal and be a positive example in the world. Translator thank you, mr. Prime minister. Reporter i will ask my question in french for you and then in english. Translator mr. Prime minister, if i heard you correctly, you said that canadian businesses, Canadian Workers are concerned for their businesses and for their work and jobs concerning the renegotiation of nafta. So what guarantees did you get from this government that we will keep our jobs and our businesses in the negotiation of nafta . Reporter during the last three months, you have denounced nafta. You have talked over and over about the mexican portion of the agreement, very little about the canadian one. My questions, in two short parts, is canada a fair trader . And when you talk about changes to nafta, concerning canada, are you talking about big changes or small changes . Thank you. Translator first of all, michel, thank you for your question. It is a real concern for many canadians because we know that our economy is very dependent on our relationship with the United States. Goods and services do cross the border each way, every single day. And this means a lot, millions of jobs to have canadians and good jobs for canadians. We are always focusing on these jobs but there are also good jobs, millions of jobs, in the United States that depend on those relationships between our two countries. So when we sit down, as we did today, and as our teams will be doing in the weeks and months to come, we will be talking about how we can continue to create good jobs for our citizens on both sides of the border. And during this exercise, we continue to understand that we have to allow this free flow of goods and services. And we have to be aware of the integration of our economies, which is extremely positive for both our countries. And this is the focus that we will have in the coming weeks and months to come. Much of our economy depends on good working relationships with the United States, good integration with the american economy. And the fact is that millions of good jobs on both sides of the border depend on the smooth and easy flow of goods and services and people back and forth across our border. And both President Trump and i got elected on commitments to support the middle class, to work hard for people who need a real shot at success. And we know that by working together, by ensuring the continued effect of integration between our two economies, we are going to be creating greater opportunities for middle class canadians and americans now and well into the future. I agree with that 100 . We have a very outstanding trade relationship with canada. Well be tweaking it. Well be doing certain things that will benefit both our countries. It is a much less severe situation than whats taken place on the southern border. On the southern border, for many, many years, the transaction was not fair to the United States. Its an extremely unfair transaction. Were going to work with mexico. Were going to make it a fair deal for both parties. I think that were going to get along very well with mexico. They understand and we understand. You probably have noticed that ford is making billions of dollars of new investments in this country. You saw intel the other day announce that because of what ive been doing and what im doing in terms of regulation, lowering taxes, et cetera, theyre coming in with billions and billions of dollars of investment and thousands and thousands of jobs. General motors likewise is expanding plants and going to build new plants. Fiat chrysler was at a meeting where theyre doing the same. Jack ma. We have so many people that want to come into the United States. I think its very exciting. I think its going to be an exciting period of time for the United States and for the workers of the United States, because they have been truly the forgotten man and forgotten woman. Its not going to be forgotten anymore, believe me. So our relationship with canada is outstanding. And were going to Work Together to make it even better. And as far as the southern border is concerned, were going to get that worked out. Were going to make it fair but we are going to make it so that everybody is happy. Its very important to me. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much. That is kind of the classic two and two press availability. Opening statements by both leaders, and then two questions each from the white house correspondents and their visiting canadian equivalent. The news out of this gathering, however, is not anything either leader said. It was exactly the opposite. Its what wasnt said because it wasnt asked. There is no shortage of superb coverage coming out of this White House Press corps that has been bolstered and strengthened and contains very few shrinking viol violets. Look at the work of maybe of m haberman. But she wasnt called on. The questions went to people who, no matter how robust the press corps, the president controls the flow and the topics in a de facto way by deciding who to call on and who not to call on. There is no shortage of tough and fair journalists in that room. The ones that we saw that were both tough and fair, that were called on today, came from the canadian side. And thats where you got the news making questions. What we got from the white house the reporters the white house hand chose, a daily caller reporter and a Sinclair Broadcasting reporter, were two of what you could call shot of ball questions, where the reporter asked what is the biggest National Security threat a month into this administration. It is remarkable that donald trump was not asked about general flynn. Its remarkable because he did not call on somebody where that could be a possible question. We should note to our viewers, you werent able to hear because we cut away, but a reporter in the room did yell out, does general flynn still have your confidence . Donald trump did not answer that and he walked away. The makeup of the room was really interesting. What you have is in the first couple of rows, advisors to the president. General flynn was in the first couple of rows. Right behind them are the network reporters. And a reporter from a fellow network asked very loudly to the anchors on his own network, the question is, does general flynn still have the confidence of donald trump, the president. Something that was very easy to overhear for someone like Michael Flynn. So it is a tense room. The questions are all out there, Everybody Knows whats on everyones mind. Does the National Security adviser have the confidence the president and it seems like the growing chorus of people in washington, both on the Congress Side and some even in the white house, are saying that no, he should not have the confidence, and something should be done to take him out of that role given what happened and the fact that he did not tell the truth about his conversations with a foreign diplomat. Hallie jackson was in that room. Hallie, i think you concur with katys assessment that it was a tense room, but you wouldnt have known any of the tension, oh and two in terms of the questions that were talking about. Reporter right, a startling lack of news coming out of the east room here today, brian. Much of the frustration of folks at home who would like to know more about some of the major and serious headlines were talking about, when it comes not just to the u. S. Relationship with russia, not just the tension boiling over inside the National Security community, but also the immigration executive order that there is still not clarity from, from President Trump himself, since the weekend about what he will do. I will note, as katy said, i was sitting next to somebody who shouted a question to the president. In this particular setting there is one thing that members of the media have learned when it comes to President Trump, that is, allow a question to hang, see if the president will perhaps answer it. That is one in which he seemed to have heard it and chose not to answer, with, by the way, mike flynn here in the front row, forgive me for turning around, you saw everybody from Vice President pence on the end down through, for example, jared kushner, secretary kelly was here as well, in that seat next to the Vice President. Of course mike in line and a slew of other advisors, kellyanne conway, et cetera. Well get another bite of the apple later in the week, President Trump meets in the east room, presumably, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of israel. Its unlikely a lot of these questions will be cleared up by then. Well see how the next 48 hours goes and how it develops, brian. Hallie jackson, thank you very much. Richard haas, president of the council on Foreign Relations, is here. Were indeed lucky to have him here in our new york studios with us. Richard, do you agree with our summation of what we just witnessed . Up to a point. As a former white house aide, i always have now, dont switch teams on us. Ill switch teams. Part of the difficulty of the press conference is you dont want to lose control of the message. So i get what the white house is doing here. Two things that are interesting, on the National Security, u. S. canadian side, one is stark differences over accepting refugees. Justin trudeau said you can have refugees without compromising your National Security. Canadian will do that, donald trump says you cant take the risk. A stark difference in policy. Nafta, unless i missed it, brian, i dont think it was mentioned until a journalist raised it. The nonnews out of this is i didnt hear anything remotely like a game plan for dealing with the most important set of relationships the United States have, canada and mexico. The president differentiated, canada is the good neighbor, mexico is the problem neighbor, i got that. But nothing remotely resembling a game plan for where do we go from here, what does the Second Generation of agreement look like after 23 years . I dont think we have a clue. The former u. S. Ambassador to canada is here with us in our studios, gordon giffin. Ambassador, who should be the point person from the Trump Administration in terms of northern trade Southern Trade . Well, the point people should be the new special trade representative and the commerce secretary, with some input obviously from the economic side of the state department. They should be the leading discussants on this. Even though they didnt use the term nafta when they were talking about, i was taken by the fact that they both, including the president of the United States, talked about enhanced trade, enhanced migration across the border. While that wasnt using the term nafta, it was to me in substance saying what were not going to do is screw this up, were going to make it better, were going to improve it, without using the buzzword nafta. So i took more substance out of what was said than just using the marquee name. The other thing i have to observe, im always intrigued by the fact that opportunities like this are used to talk about the issues of the day as opposed to the issues of the relationship. Its a press conference of the Prime Minister of canada and the United States. I know the convention is, whenever the president is available, ask him any question thats possible. But i actually hoped there would be more questions about the canada u. S. Relationship. That would have been newsworthy as well. As opposed to what our international crises, we know what they are, we hear about them daily, well hear about them tonight, im sure. So i would have liked even more conversation about the relationship, which i thought was the subject of the meeting. I would argue, and lets bring Andrea Mitchell into this conversation, our chief Foreign Affairs correspondent. I would argue, andrea, the news of the day matters greatly to the Foreign Relations of the United States. Americans woke up yesterday and today to news of north korea blasting off a new missile, to further news that american japan talks about how to respond if at all to that missile happened over in part a wedge salad at maralago in public and clear view of the paying customers, members of maralago. I would argue that the president s National Security adviser is absolutely in the crosshairs and his chief of staff may be as well, though you wouldnt know any of that from today. Exactly. A wedge salad i think with roquefort dressing, in full view with people taking pictures and posting them. Look, if north korea gets a long range, an intermediate range missile is one thing, but if they get an intercontinental missile, canada is as vulnerable as the west coast of the United States. All of these issues are important. We dont know what the president meant when he said they would respond very strongly to north korea. He answered parenthetically to the question of what worries you, what problems have you learned about from intelligence, and he brought up north korea. Then it would have been great if somebody from either side had asked a followup question, what are you going to do, what options do you have, has china have you reached out to china again . Theres a u. N. National Security Council meeting this afternoon. All of these things are as important as trade. I do think it was important to ask questions about differences on refugee policy, and those were raised by the canadian reporters. Its interesting that in the past two News Conferences, and they are few and far between, the president has been asked questions by two murdochowned institutions, this time sinclair. We have not had a broad base of questions from the regulars in the White House Press corps. And you can say thats a little insular, but they do track the daily news, and the future of mr. Flynn is very, very important to the u. S. And to its closest neighbor. Andrea mitchell in washington. And this will be interesting, our next guest has witnessed, as the ambassador and richard haas have firmly chosen teams in this conversation on the side of the government im kidding. Rick stingel is a former secretary of state and more importantly managing editor of Time Magazine and the fact that he is Nelson Mandelas biographer. We in the news media tend to claim secretary stengel, who served in the obama administration, because he spent most of his life as an inkstained wretch. That is correct, brian. Where do you come down on this question of press availability and what we didnt witness . If you dont mind, ill go back and forth between french and english like the canadian Prime Minister. I have to say im with the government guys. Oh, man. Theres a little bit of an aspect in Cable Television of a 6yearold soccer game where everybody follows the ball all the time. Theres no obligation for the president of the United States or the Prime Minister of canada to address those daily issues, however important they are. Governing is something that happens behind closed doors. You try to be as transparent as possible. But you cant make your governing hostage exigencies of the news made edi. So im afraid im on that side. Rick, here is the problem. Were shareholders in this country of ours. And that old expression that constituents and taxpayers about government, you work for us. The stories in the news today are about people who work for us and by extension will be spre h expressing the american way and American Point of view to our friends and neighbors, allies and enemies. Thats a valid point, to say someone like general flynn should be talked about. It is certainly a valid point. But i would guess, and i have no inside knowledge of this, that they havent made a decision on that yet. And when youre in government, there are very many things that youre in process, and it doesnt necessarily help that process to have to talk about it while its going on. Thats a difficulty. Everybody has to play a part. As you say, journalism, the constitutionally protected people who speak truth to power and people have to continue to do that, and the people who are in power have to figure out how to tell the truth back. It wont always be in the most timely fashion, however. Kati katy tur. Im going to take both sides of the issue. Its not as if hes calling on marquee any real journalist with some serious heft in that room. Good luck on twitter. Best of luck to you on social media. The National News media follows these things more closely than the daily caller or a local news broadcast. Not that what they do is not important, local news is extraordinarily important to our democracy. But if youre not calling on the ap, if youre not calling on nbc news, the washington post, the new york times, youre not getting questions about nafta from the american side, youre getting these softball questions where donald trump can say whatever he wants to say. The other side of the issue, i would argue, is that general Michael Flynn is something that is concerning people across the board, and he ultimately has the ear of the president , first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It is extraordinarily important for the American People to know, to be confident in what is going on behind the scenes. And right now a lot of people are not so confident in this country. Were out of time for this hour, for this bit of our coverage. Our thanks to richard haas, our thanks to ambassador giffin, our thanks to katy tur, rick stengel. When kate snow takes over at the top of the hour, among her guests will be michael steele, former head of the rnc, standing by to talk to us in washington. American express open cards can help you take on a new job, or fill a big order or expand your office and take on whatever comes next. Find out how American Express cards and services can help prepare you for growth at open. Com. Parts a and b and want more coverage, guess what . You could apply for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan whenever you want. No enrollment window. No waiting to apply. That means now may be a great time to shop for an aarp Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. Medicare doesnt cover everything. And like all standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, these help cover some of what medicare doesnt pay. So dont wait. Call now to request your free decision guide. It could help you find the aarp Medicare Supplement plan that works for you. These types of plans have no networks, so you get to choose any doctor who accepts medicare patients. Rates are competitive, and theyre the only plans of their kind endorsed by aarp. Remember these plans let you apply all year round. So call today. Because nows the perfect time to learn more. Go long. Good afternoon, everyone, im kate snow. Here are our top stories at this hour. Diplomat in chief President Trump welcoming canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the white house today. The pair just took questions from reporters at the white house. Its what wasnt asked that maybe made more news. What is the status of National Security status Michael Flynn . Does he have the trust of President Trump and the Intelligence Community after his evolving comments on whether he spoke to the Russian Ambassador before the Trump Administration took office and what they spoke about. And right now in central california, nearly 200,000 people are