Transcript for President Trump meets with South Korea's Moon Jae-in

Either ABC news viewers on is that coming. How we just heard the president and I. President front. At noon today in. For the very first time in their formal press conference Eric first meeting. Between the two leaders following. President Clinton's recent elections so much at stake here let's talk about it first of all South Korea's one apartment in. Shortened trading partners we're talking about a 114 million dollars that transpired every year between the two countries. And even more than that talking about North Korea. The Koreans the threat on the Korean Peninsula and in this case. There is some questions about how much the two leaders are alike have for that I want covering an ABC's Mary Alice parks. Who has been covering the White House has been covering all of this for us Mary Alice. Given what we've heard here from the presidents. From the two presidents. Do you think that they may be more aligned we know that that as a progressive liberal. President moon is not necessarily on the same page when it comes to carrots and stick adds president trumpet but. Were you hearing anything encouraging ever. Yet here is asking erratic thought it was really interesting present and was elected as a moderate in his country. Someone who was very open to the idea of re engaging with North Korea resuming talks. I'm has put a lot on the table really seen as as a progressive like you said. And and here he was talking about a new at least found deep forest friendship and deep mutual trust that he might. Not like you game with president trop. During his visit the two men outlet went. To great lengths you show that they were working together that they were getting along. That they work. That they were working as friends and strong allies. And you know. The talk about the big elephant that was not in the courtroom not out there on the line which is China. You know the president and this White House had really hoped that they would be forging a relationship a new partnership with China China will be the one to. Exert some influence on North Korea really rain North Korea. Two at some level appropriate. Bargaining table would be able to exert influence to get them to roll back and stop these missile test. And you thought there are present trump saying point blank his patience has just warrant and he talked about the countries he was gonna work went the South Korea Japan and other partners he did not mention China. And and you really see how much importance there it. On this relationship between presidents rob and South Korea because frankly if you like north but make like China is just not been able to work. At three dimensional chats certainly that has been played out since the Korean War when it comes to that relationship between North Korea China. The United States and South Korea and and to a certain extent Japan as well and will the war shot I guess across the bow. Earlier this week when when the State Department downgraded. China's status is in terms of human trafficking right. RR ER we need to take from all of this that the president is now really aligning himself. With South Korea with president moon instead of with president she. Not. Those are exactly the question I think that this is this isn't that happens overnight this is these are long. The complicated relationships like he sat but by I think they that you're right that we've seen a shift in its home on China China is upset. About alma continuing negotiations over an arms deal US selling more arms to. To Taiwan DC that is kind of a direct threat there's been talks about new sanctions on Chinese banks that bet. I'm have been accused of laundering money to North Korea so we're starting to see your at least questioned whether or not there's a real shift in US policy. She needs to be harder and harsher against China take off out more hardline stance if they don't like the Chinese Government is is. Is pulling their weight and needs it really important negotiations with North Korea over the South Korean these are questions of life and that's and they feel that's. And so it is complicated delicate balances. Very very tricky foreign policy and and that is why every little maneuver is dissected and looked at so closely. And they aren't W little clues that I'm I'm gonna share with our viewers some things that. That sort of tell us that the president really was trying to put line. His charm offensive and became president noon. He and has apparently had an impromptu. Late night visit where he actually invited president and up to that residence. The the South Korean delegation was told that that's the first time that that has happened. That a foreign leader had been invited by president from up to the third floor of the White House certainly. There is a lot going in Q the team management to force that personal relationship. I understand that in the White House visitors want to read you what president moon wrote. He said the create US alliance is a great journey towards peace and prosperity. Speaking about he and and how that's what maneuvering and ABC's Alley on a Alley Rogan. That the president has been on front pocket on. And president. Morgue he would not interested when he was campaigning in a missile defense system being located in South Korea. The president with perhaps on as saying he would have South Korea papal let me tell. Yes it's funny because South Korea has basically said. Just back to Mexico isn't saying no where this missile defense system to take a step back Mason president and use you described him as a as more of a dove on some of these issues and it's true he maybe a little more non confrontational but a lot of why that is is because of what you just talking that would just trying to. China does not like this missile defense system they want to see it absolutely go away. They have been threatening South Korea by cutting off some of their economic relations so. China has has demonstrated that it's in South Korea's economic interest in terms of trade in terms of vibrancy in the economy to not deploy this missile defense system now. The system we're talking about. Which the US started construction on our started the concept packing 2008. Just rolled out in the first couple. What parts of it we're actually installed in South Korea backing march that was before president moon was elected and he had said. It's really time to review while he was campaigning he said. We really need to review this missile defense system to see if it's appropriate since he has been in office he has paused in the development of this the system further and sent. We are environmental. Study. So for right now there is a ponds on the missile defense system president trump has said that. It's time to reinstate it. And also as you sad that South Korea should have to pay for at Lee's summit and they have said. We don't think so I'm and we heard president tried to think he talked about burden sharing that is dip was. Eat for you should pay for us. And that includes a burden sharing. I want you to foot the bill and environmental impact study means. Oh hell so now let's. Oh all. Missiles this is its concerns about acting. C at least it's like. An excuse for. Haunt. Let's talk about them out. They didn't take any action all the journalists. Here at the White House eager we all had. Our list of question that would love to ask either front or president trump. Any guess why that might be Alley. I'll let me think come probably because. In addition to foreign policy elephants and they really didn't talk about there are some major domestic elephants that. President trump doesn't want to touch and of course the major ones being his tweets over the past couple days about me convergence case specifically. Many people on both sides of the aisle including his own Republican allies in congress have said those words. Not presidential not a marik and they don't represent as Lindsey Graham's that they don't represent. What's great about America a lot of people have called for him to apologize. And he doesn't really done so the press corps here prize. I color me shocked on the that he doesn't address that we did hear I think it's Kristen Welker is voice I heard shouting about everybody as president troop retreated back to the Oval Office eight. What about your tweets and it. I can't believe he didn't turn around and get back to the maker and answer time only your interests. Or at least you've been talking about it ever since that it transpired yesterday what do you have to say. We you know we rightly been talking about it not stop asking real questions about how much it matters do the American people care. He the American people that are struggling with with wags would wage stagnation and frustrated with rising health care premiums. Do they care about the president getting into Twitter battle and at an. Yeah lobbing insults against a journalist. But I think this press conference in particular. Sort of highlighted. Why the president's words matter it gets to the issue of temperament. Do you want to have a president. Who can fly happened channeling get upset when provoked. When you're talking about. Another foreign power in North Korea who people think of is incredibly unstable. You would hope that the present United States can beat us you know confident com. And can take an insult in stride and so I think that that's where people really zeroing and authorities tweets. Really make folks nervous because they get to the question of whether or not the president can. Can take an insult. And can heat the level head. And and is sold just really interesting imagery this issue in particular. Friends and sent her the day after we are all talking about. Whether or not his tweets were appropriate. Right I think I think you nailed it on now when it. It's worth reminding everybody that the reason that anybody is talking about this at all is because the president put that out. There as part of that discussion here in Washington. It wasn't something that a leaks sports. Gave to somebody or with fake news the president himself from his. From his. Twitter account is verified account started this debate by talking about meek and and her facelift upset over something that he heard that was a personal day at him so. How how all of this. Continuing to play out and let go ahead and hit the president's hunting area. He continues to tweet and will surely not thought fleeting but you know the thing that we. The reason at these tweets matter and foreign policy speech if they get the question of whether the president can deliver on promises that he makes to foreign leaders. If he continues to distance himself from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. By his inflammatory language that every few days if you're expected to announce something he sat it it it frankly separate. Their relationship with him. It makes it harder for foreign leaders to trot. Think he can actually get stuff done it home. So why why did they trot why should they tracked. It he promises he's gonna be hard on this or that he promises he wants to renegotiate trade deal it he promises. That he can back them up in some place. If they have to wonder whether he can deliver it they have to wonder whether he is has a functioning government back in DC and close enough relationship with his lot makers. To pass bills to ratify treaties that really start to a roller. The power that he has both here and abroad. An Alley. For you know what is your impression is the president's going to be able to let this go or should we expect to see more from. I think absolutely we're going to seem work from him on this he seems to not be able to let anything. And we heard from Sarah Huckabee Ers and their hockey standards the White House spokesperson yesterday that. That the American people knew what they were getting when they elected president trump Cuba's that he is a fighter and they should expect him to fight back when provoked. But of course a question is did the American people want to elect a fighter who goes after cable TV host or did elect a fighter who they want to be strong on. In areas like the fight against North Korea hunt and the quinnipiac poll that was out yesterday said 61% of Americans the act. Did not want the president tweeting from his personal. Accounting exactly there is a big question on the campaign to now I'm sure you remember. If he can't handle. X how can handle crisis and I was usually the context at him getting into a fight with people like Rosie O'Donnell and the question was if he cannot keep. Not blow up over these slights that people are feeling at him is that Philly Mary Alice that. How do we expect him to. Be a level headed player and a statesman in some of these huge. Massive issues. Worldwide. Implications. And what is implication that a little bit closer to home afford health care. Some of the strongest condemnation that we heard coming from. The very theme people that the president has been trying to woo on health care marry out I know all three of us have been following this extensively. What are your thoughts. Tell me the things that you've heard coming from member and whether or not that's going to have any impact on health care debate that continues here. You're exactly right lie you know the president needs. A lot of Republicans to vote for this bill and in particular. Three Republican women who are the most leery of the proposals that have been put out so far. So was not lots on folks are in Washington that the women seem to be some of the most offended by the president's comments came out strongly against them. He needs to be working closely with them not alienating them further if he wants to get this bill passed. You know what we're hearing is that they'll love it if you are headed home. And and all signs point to a lot of fireworks on fourth of July we know that the resistance so called resistance movement. It's up and ready to go there been planning calls across the country. Folks preparing to go to town halls and parades and barbecues to bullet vocalize their opposition to this bill. But you know it's not really just extreme lack that is showing that they are not. Fans of what Republicans are putting on the table we're seeing really moderate groups like the AARP and the American Medical Association. Who are also encouraging their followers and their supporters. To make their voices heard. So Republicans are gonna get at your fall next week while they're on vacation and it's just gonna be really interesting to watch what they do it all that public comment. Does it encourage them to come back to the negotiating table did it come back home went back to Washington with new idea or does it. Just lead them to more frustration and and more roadblocks. The for the major initiative the administration with the meter campaign point girls all those Republicans. That war either elected or reelected in this last campaign. And it is also. Mostly unpopular among American even. The Fox News pulled picking up this week which was the most positive of any of the results had support among Americans for the Republican health care repeal and replace plan. At a and a week. Percentage I think if it was somewhere in the twenty 20% point 86%. But but most of the poll that came out that were air worthy actually had support among all Americans between twelve and 17%. Something of a dud of a villain is what we are hearing even from Republicans. To try and save this which the administration really wants to do. Are they being hurt by these tweets and and how it undercuts the presidency you think to edit it. Bill one and the question is what bill we've seen it's do you separate out pieces of legislation one from the house and when from the senate. And the clubs has been that a lot of this bill has been crafted behind closed doors humor Connell factoring obamacare. Crafting process there were many open hearings so people can tune in and see eat the sausage being made as ugly as it is and you people didn't like obamacare then but at least they got to see the process. Then president. I Obama's a lot about how he didn't think he did the best job he possibly could have in terms of selling Obama carefully into the American people so you contrast that. This act that actually deeply public. Process with what's happening now where we just saw us and it bill come out and ultimately get pulled from the floor over the bill had been. Entirely crafted behind closed doors why Lee by the senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. And it. Not only are the policies scaring some people they're talking about Medicaid cuts. That is a big concern to a lot of folks in states where governors accepted the Medicaid expansion that was part of obamacare. And it. So the policies themselves in this bill not so popular. Individually. And then also just the process the fact that it's playing out behind closed doors. On the profit my. At some level turnabout fair play right that Republicans were not part of the profits in building Obama care and a lot of the criticism that that you're raising the Democrats have right now are some of the theme that we heard. I'm coming from the be a pony opposing party at that time. About about how that things off that was being paid so. It did and it really that surprising worried that help politics. Yes politics is however the one thing I think differentiates the teen pregnancies. Is that Democrats took a lot longer yes it was a largely party line processed. But. In public and I don't think it's insurance companies with the American Medical Association and it. Other. Other people had a very real important state health care and that's not pretty and it was incredibly messy then it's incredibly. A messy it's just that people aren't seeing the nastiness. Pulling out in anything that is playing into why you're seeing such concerns now before this bill is even sang and plot we. Mary Alice health care is happening. We know is really interesting this morning the president took a total. About face reversed his entire stance on how this process should go down. Saying that if they can't do repeal replace at simultaneously which was is an initial pitch. That they should give up on that idea and they should repeal the bill or as much of the bill as they can't and delay and deal with replacement later. And that was pretty shocking too to everyone two Republicans and Democrats alike but also to insurance companies the idea of a repealing now and hoping to reach an agreement at some later date when reaching an agreement has so far totally eluded them is really scary for insurance companies. I'm and for patients and need to buy insurance insurance companies don't like. Uncertainty it leads to higher prices and weeks actually this idea of of waiting are punting. Hoping to reach a further and in some kind of agreement further down the road. When reaching any agreement has been so hard. Is a rings as a really tricky strategy after that was really interesting this morning but we'll see if Republicans. Take that back that under consideration seriously. But this White House is all over the all over the route all over the map with how they think that this process should go forward at all. The sense that they'd rather get something done so they can check off their list that. And real philosophical commitment to what gets done and an Alley and under the 81 more question on this front. Part of what we saw this week when the major things that transpired was that. Insistence from the senate majority leader that they were going to have a vote this week guy full reversal when it became really clear that it wasn't going to happen. And only that Republicans were saying that lets you bringing that bill to the floor for debate so will it get a vote when we come back from the fourth of July. This holiday this week of going back home in retrenching Ian not town halls and getting feedback from voters. That's only going to lead to more problems with this legislative process Republicans are going to come back with all new kinds of concerns from their constituents. It's not going to build popularity for there to come back it's not gonna meet this process and easier my prediction based on everything that we have been reporting. Is that this holistic replacement bill is not going to get a vote in the senate which means it's. Pretty much dead. I think you're more likely to see is exactly what Mary Alice was talking about witches. A more piecemeal process where they break off some pieces that perhaps it can accomplish even some moderate Democrats support I think that's something that Republicans are now. Opening themselves up to the reality that might have Q. See what happens because they need. To reassure those insurance companies that rates are going to be a roller coasters so they need to decently to stabilize markets. Well before. I think they're gonna pass apple repeal. Well you are going to keep you watching all of that in an on that point I think that is what we heard overwhelmingly from Americans that they. Really want. The folks that they elected and here to Washington to stop me. Politics with their personal health care these are families these aren't live that matter. And what they're seeing in the football being thrown back and forth. We're gonna watch all of that at and that it does make trees state. Dot com. On behalf of Alley and Mary Allen on line that they eat that much pertaining.

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