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Isa Soares Tonight
Israel Violated Gaza Ceasefire Multiple Times Says Egypt; Skepticism from Many NATO Allies; Poland's FM on Russia's War on Ukraine; Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs on Trading Partners. Trump Unveils Reciprocal Tariffs on Trading Partners; Indian Prime Minister Modi Set to Meet with Trump at the White House; After Putin Call, Trump Says Negotiations to End Ukraine War will Start Immediately. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired February 13, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: And breaking news, welcome everyone, I'm Isa Soares. We have breaking news for you this hour. Donald Trump has
fulfilling -- is fulfilling, I should say, a core pledge of his presidential campaign today. The U.S. President announced another round of
new sweeping tariffs just in the last few minutes.
And these reciprocal tariffs are meant to level really the playing field with trade partners by matching any levies other countries impose on U.S.
imports. Developing economies including India, Brazil, Vietnam are expected to be the hardest hit. Some economists say this could increase inflation
with the burden likely falling, of course, on American consumers.
But Mr. Trump has said these tariffs benefit American workers are now good for national security. Listening to all of this, keeping an eye on the
markets as well, I want to bring in our Kevin Liptak, who is at the White House, Matt Egan in New York. So, Kevin, first to you, give us a sense of
what we are hearing from President Trump. I know he said today is the big one. What else? What else did he give us in terms of details regarding
these tariffs?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and I should say he's still speaking in the Oval Office at this hour. And that tape will turn around
and we'll see exactly what he had to say. But what we understand he's done is sign a memorandum, instructing his top economic advisors to come up with
a plan to apply these new tariffs.
And I think it's an important distinction. He has not actually applied new tariffs on imports into the United States just yet. He has instructed his
team to go forward with doing just that, to set these precise tariff rates on specific imports. There won't be a universal tariff rate. It will depend
on what those countries have applied to American imports.
And so, I think that's an important distinction. The President, of course, has been talking about this for the last week, indicating that this would
be sort of the biggest step in fulfilling his campaign promises, which is to try and rewrite American trade deficits, to try and bolster American
factory workers. And so, we'll hear exactly what he has to say.
But what we heard from White House officials in the hour or so before he signed this, was that, this would not necessarily take effect right away,
that there would be a waiting period of sorts as his team tries to ascertain exactly which products to tariff and at what rates. There will
also be a six-month review conducted by his budget director at sort of the precise fiscal implications of what he is doing.
And I think that's notable, just given what we have learned this week about inflation in the United States, the numbers showing that, that continues to
heat up. And I do think that, that remains a concern, certainly among Republicans here in Washington, but also among the President's advisors,
whether these new tariffs could prove inflationary, that would be a big problem for a President who made lowering prices a centerpiece of his
campaign.
And so, all of this sort of being determined now, I do think it's notable what we will see later today here at the White House, which is a visit by
the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that is a country that applies heavy tariffs on American imports. This is a country that could potentially
be significantly impacted by reciprocal tariffs.
President Trump has called Modi the tariff king, and certainly, this will be a key topic of discussion as they sit down in the Oval Office late this
afternoon.
SOARES: Yes, and on that, let's go to Matt Egan. And Matt, just on India. I mean, last year -- I'm just looking at some of my data here, India
exported something like $87 billion worth of goods in the U.S., while the U.S. exported $42 billion worth of goods. This is according to Commerce
Department data, and it does seem we don't have the details. We are still waiting for the tape term.
We know this is reciprocal tariffs at this point, but it is the developing countries, India, Brazil, Vietnam, that we are expecting will be the
hardest hit. Is that right?
MATT EGAN, CNN REPORTER: That's right. But the big question is whether or not these tariffs ever actually take effect. Remember --
SOARES: Yes --
EGAN: What is happening right now is the President and the White House are announcing a plan, and the plan is designed to try to address what they see
as unfair trading practices, notably when other countries like India have a higher tariff on stuff that's made in the United States than United States
has on items that are made in India.
The question, though, is whether or not these reciprocal tariffs are going to actually take effect. We don't quite know. There was a White House
official who's speaking to reporters earlier today, and was asked this question about when these tariffs could take effect.
[14:05:00]
And this White House official said that this would be done in Trump time, meaning very rapidly in a matter of weeks, a few months, but not much
longer than that. And so, that's pretty vague, right? And it does allow for some time for what the President loves to do, which is negotiate, right?
Negotiate a deal with, say, India, with the Prime Minister of India visiting today to try to address some of these concerns and maybe allow a
situation where the U.S. never actually has to impose tariffs in the first place.
Because, as Kevin was pointing out, the timing here is really notable, right? It was just yesterday that the U.S. had a disappointing inflation
report, right? Three percent inflation for the first time since last Summer. And there are concerns from mainstream economists that if the U.S.
does meaningfully increase tariffs on imports, that, that will eventually raise prices that are paid by U.S. consumers, that it would be
inflationary.
And given the fact that voters made really clear in the last election that they are frustrated with the cost of living, given that the rate of
inflation has ticked higher, you know, it is easy to see how the White House may choose to move cautiously with deciding to actually impose and
implement these tariffs.
And there is a lot of room and time to potentially negotiate an agreement that allows for tariffs to not go up on as many trading partners as may be
suggested from today's announcement. Isa?
SOARES: Which is what we saw -- which was what we saw, of course, with the 25 percent tariffs and the negotiations went on with Mexico and Canada now
has been delayed, I think until March. And whilst I have you both here, I just want to bring up the Dow Jones, the markets, keep an eye on that
because like you were saying, Matt, there are concerns when if these go into effect, the inflationary concerns that play a part here.
The Dow Jones is up now just half of a percent. We are keeping an eye on that. We also keeping an eye, waiting to hear from President Trump, as soon
as we have that -- in fact, I'm just getting more information, stay with us. Reciprocal tracks -- let me just wait with me. U.S. currently has a
weighted average import tariff rate of 2 percent industrial goods.
Which the tariffs which Trump put into motion via an executive action won't take effect immediately. OK, so an intentional move going to your point
here, Matt, to give nations time to potentially negotiate new terms -- new trade terms with the U.S. So, exactly to that point that you were making,
this is a potentially a negotiating tactic, specifically in light of Modi's visit today. Go ahead --
EGAN: Yes --
SOARES: Matt.
EGAN: Isa, I mean, that is of course, why the President loves tariffs, right? He views them as a way to gain leverage, and he sees them as a
negotiating tool. And I think the market reaction is telling, right? We see U.S. stocks moving to session highs as we're starting to get details of
this trade plan that is being announced by the White House.
And I think that the view and the takeaway from investors is that perhaps the bark here may --
SOARES: Noted --
EGAN: End up being greater than the bite, that maybe there will be a situation like with Canada and with Mexico, where sure, tariffs are
announced, but they may not actually take effect if there's negotiations that allow them to be delayed or canceled altogether. Isa.
SOARES: Let's wait -- let's wait to hear from the President, of course, we're waiting to see what he says. Once we have that recording, we'll bring
it to the viewers attention. I have a feeling, Kevin Liptak, you and I and Matt, that we'll be talking in the next few minutes. Appreciate your time,
thank you very much.
Now, let's turn to Europe, because many NATO members and the European Union appear to be sending a unified message today, and any peace talks to end
the war in Ukraine must include a seat at the table for them, as well as Kyiv. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine was front and center during a
second day of meetings at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.
U.S. Defense Secretary pick -- Pete Hegseth insists ending negotiations would include, he said, Ukrainian officials. He also responded to critics
who say the U.S. is handing Russia an advantage as it calls for peace talks to begin. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETE HEGSETH, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES: Any suggestion that President Trump is doing anything other than negotiating from a position of
strength is on its face, a historical and false. So, when you look at what he may have to give or take, what's in or what's out in those negotiations,
we have the perfect deal maker at the table from a position of strength to deal with both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy.
No one is going to get everything that they want, understanding who committed the aggression in the first place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, those developments come on the heels of a 90-minute phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, that the
Kremlin appeared to be pleased with. Mr. Trump.
[14:10:00]
Said negotiations to end the conflict will begin immediately, and any plans to meet with Mr. Putin in Saudi Arabia soon without the presence -- without
the presence of Ukrainian officials. I just wanted to reiterate that. One European leader says she and her colleagues are alarmed by the prospect of
what she's calling a dirty deal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAJA KALLAS, VICE PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN COMMISSION: It is clear that any deal behind our backs will not work. Any agreement will need also a Ukraine
and Europe being part of it. And this is clear that appeasement also always fails. So, Ukraine will continue to resist, and Europe will continue to
back Ukraine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Meantime, residents in Ukraine's capital tell CNN that talks between President Trump and Putin on ending the war are not good for
Ukraine. One woman voiced her frustration, stressing that it is President Zelenskyy who should be taking charge of any negotiations. Have a listen to
this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIUDMYLA BILOZEROVA, PENSIONER (through translator): The negotiation process should be transparent, and so far, everything is going on behind
closed doors. Of course, Zelenskyy should be the one leading it, and the war itself should never have been started. We should have given Donbas over
as an autonomous republic and Crimea too, and then no one would have invaded us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: I want to bring in Oleksandr Merezhko, he's a member of the Ukrainian parliament and chair of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee. Oleksandr, thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us this evening. We played a little clip thereof, you know, what one lady
thinks is happening, how she views it.
Clearly, incredibly passionate opinions that we've been seeing in the last 24 hours here on the show. But let me get your sense of what you heard from
Secretary Hegseth and President Putin, those words continue to reverberate around the world. Europe, we've heard some saying that here in Europe, that
this is appeasement, that President Trump has emboldened Putin, that he has given away leverage even before a meeting with President Putin. How do you
see it? I mean, give us a sense of how Ukrainians see the plan here.
OLEKSANDR MEREZHKO, MEMBER OF UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT: Well, first of all, I believe that President Trump should have called President Zelenskyy before
talking to Putin, but at the same time, we remain hopeful about President Trump because I'm sure that he is ambitious-enough politician who is
thinking about how he will be remembered in history, how he will go down in history.
And we want him to go down in history as a great President like President Roosevelt who wants America to make great again by standing up to evil, not
by succumbing to evil. And by evil, of course, I mean, Russian aggression and Russian dictator Putin.
SOARES: And do you think he's standing up to evil? Do you think he's in a position of strength as we heard Secretary Hegseth say just a few minutes
ago? Because of course, we remember -- just reminding our viewers. We heard the Secretary Hegseth say, ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine said that
the pre-2014 borders are unrealistic, in his words. So, what exactly -- what exactly is the position of strength here?
MEREZHKO: Well, as far as I can see it, President Trump formulated his thoughts in a rather careful way. So -- but we got used in dealing with our
allies that in the beginning they say no. Then we move to maybe and finally, we reach the result as yes. It has been, for example, with F-16,
and in this situation, also hopeful that we'll manage to persuade President Trump to not only to continue to support Ukraine, but also to help us to
defeat Russia and restore our territorial integrity, because it is not only in the interest of Ukrainian security or security of Europe.
It's in the best interests of the United States to restore territorial integrity of Ukraine. We can do it. We just need more weaponry and more
serious sanctions applied against Russia.
SOARES: Well, we heard from the EU Foreign Policy chief today, saying that the European Union will support Ukraine if it resists a peace deal, if it
doesn't agree with, if Ukraine doesn't agree with that. She went as far as saying that the concern is that this could be the -- a quick deal that
becomes a dirty quick fix -- pardon me, that becomes a dirty deal. I wonder, in your view, what leverage do you think Ukraine has now, and what
incentive is there for Putin?
MEREZHKO: Well, first of all, it's the strength of our army. We have already strategically defeated Putin by defeating Russian troops next to
Kyiv, by making Russian fleet to escape the Black Sea by taking under- control part of Russian territory in the Kursk region by targeting military targets deep in the territory of Russia. So, we just need more support.
[14:15:00]
SOARES: You need more support. But as we've been showing our viewers in the last few months, in fact, you know, Russia continues to gain territory.
The war has dragged on, now entering its fourth year. We're looking at the map, that eastern front is becoming large. It's enlarged significantly, and
the battle has become incredibly tough.
So, what is -- what is the strength here going into these negotiations? What plan realistically, are you expecting to see, or what would you like
to see from President Trump here when his negotiations with President Putin and President Zelenskyy?
MEREZHKO: Well, realistically-speaking, and I agree with President Trump that we should talk to Putin, and he should talk to Putin from the position
of strength. And I am sure that President Trump understands whom he is -- who he is dealing with, because Putin is a typical gangster, and he
understands only language of strength.
And the United States is the biggest, the most powerful state in the world. It can apply necessary financial sanctions against Russian banking and
financial system. It can provide Ukraine with -- all the necessary sophisticated contemporary weaponry. So -- and I'm sure that it will help
us to not only to defend ourselves, but also to restore our territorial integrity and to finally defeat Russia, which is brittle.
On the surface it looks strong, but in reality, it's rotten. It can crumble any time. We just need to push more in the same direction to defeat our
common enemy.
SOARES: And I remember, you can correct me if I'm wrong here. You are the Chair of Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Committee, but you also I had read, and
correct me if I'm wrong, nominated President Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Why did you nominate him? What has he done in your view thus far to be
nominated? And you still stand by that nomination.
MEREZHKO: Of course, I continue to stand. I believe in Trump in this regard. First of all, it's a sign of our appreciation for what he has done
while he was the President of the United States, because he became the first American President to provide us with lethal weapons, including
javelins, which helped us to repel Russian attacks during the first weeks of the full-scale invasion.
At the same time, my nomination for Trump is a gesture of hope, because I believe that he can truly bring peace to Ukraine, but we're not talking
appeasement. We are talking about just peace, which is firmly based on international law and the U.N. Charter. He can do it.
SOARES: Oleksandr, let me ask you this then. If the war ends, that is not on Ukraine's terms, and Putin gets more territory, the same territory he's
already gained. Does President Trump still deserve that peace prize?
MEREZHKO: Well, I am sure that we will eventually win. It's a matter of time. I even don't consider the idea that we can lose our territories
forever. But again, it remains an open question, and I hope that he will deserve this Nobel Peace Prize. And from our part, we are trying also to
help him to move in the right direction.
SOARES: Oleksandr Merezhko, we're all waiting, of course, for an end to this war, of course, it's gone on for too long, too many lives, innocent
lives have been killed, ended here. So, we're hoping for some positive news for everyone's sake. Thanks very much, Oleksandr, really appreciate you
taking time to speak to us. Thank you.
And while President Trump's approach faces criticism from many European leaders, reactions from Moscow appear to be quite the opposite. Our senior
international correspondent Fred Pleitgen has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kremlin-controlled TV Jovil(ph), even the anchor surprised by the
concessions President Donald Trump offered Russian President Vladimir Putin in their 90-minute phone conversation. An extensive talk about ending the
war in Ukraine while seemingly sidelining Ukraine's leader.
Not a word about Zelenskyy, the host says or rather, if there were words, they were only negative ones. Ukraine will not get back its territories.
Ukraine will not join NATO.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And I think they have to make peace. That's what I think.
PLEITGEN: Moscow more than willing to take up President Trump's offer for immediate peace talks to end the three-year war. Russia saying it's already
starting preparations for possible direct meetings between the U.S. President and the Russian leader, the first time in four years the leaders
of the U.S. and Russia would meet face-to-face.
[14:20:00]
"The current administration as far as we understand holds the view that everything must be done to stop the war and for peace to prevail", the
Kremlin's press secretary says. "We are much more impressed by the position of the current administration, and we're open to dialogue." Dialogue,
apparently without Kyiv at the table.
Ukraine's President growing increasingly frustrated and concerned. "It's important that everything does not go according to Putin's plans",
Zelenskyy says. "He wants to do everything to make his negotiations bilateral." But many Ukrainians fear that's exactly what's happening,
feeling President Trump is selling them out.
TRUMP: President Putin wants to have peace now, and that's good. And he didn't want to have peace with Biden.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Was that conversation with Putin --
TRUMP: Can you tell me why that is, OK?
PLEITGEN: Ukraine's army is steadily losing ground to the Russians, mostly due to manpower and weapons shortages. Russian forces already occupy more
than 20 percent of the country's territory. The new U.S. Defense Secretary bluntly says Kyiv most probably won't get back, much to the dismay of
America's close NATO partners and the Ukrainians.
HEGSETH: There is no betrayal there. There is a recognition that the whole world and the United States is invested and interested in peace.
PLEITGEN: America's allies in shock, Moscow pleased. Russia's Foreign Minister praising President Trump when I asked him at a press conference.
(on camera): Are you more hopeful now that there can be real and fundamental change and improvement in U.S.-Russian relations? "This is how
you should communicate with Russia", he says. "Perhaps that is why many in the West, including the leaders of the European Union were shocked when a
simple, normal conversation took place between two polite, educated individuals." Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And still to come tonight, an announcement by Hamas could stave off Israel's threat to unleash a new war in Gaza. We'll have the latest on
the fragile ceasefire. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: Now, to new signs of hope that a crisis threatening the Israel- Hamas ceasefire can be resolved. Hamas says it will release Israeli hostages this weekend as initially planned after positive talks from
mediators, with mediators from Qatar as well as Egypt. Israel has threatened to unleash a new war in Gaza if the hostages aren't returned by
Saturday's deadline.
Hamas announced it would delay the release after accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire. An Egyptian source telling CNN, Israel has
violated the truce numerous times. The source shared a detailed list of 19 alleged violations, including preventing mobile homes and reconstruction
materials from entering Gaza. Families of Israeli hostages, meantime, protested in Tel Aviv, as you can see there today, blocking a major
highway.
They have been demanding their government get the deal done so that their loved ones, of course, can come home. Let's go now to the executive
director of UNOPS, a U.N. agency that's helping bring life-saving supplies into Gaza. Jorge Moreira da Silva was just in Gaza as well as the West
Bank, and he joins me now from Jerusalem.
Mr. Moreira da Silva, welcome to the show, really grateful you can be with us. And it seems positive news --
JORGE MOREIRA DA SILVA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES: Thank you --
SOARES: Right? Some good news at last, this fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas between -- seems to be back on track. And good news, of
course, for those people in Gaza and for the hostages. So, give us a sense of what you have seen. You've been in and out of Gaza, let's focus on Gaza
first before we go into the West Bank, what you have seen in Gaza and the needs right now, the urgent needs right now.
DA SILVA: Well, Isa, I went to Gaza today, I have been in Gaza one year ago, and I clearly see a difference. I see a difference in terms of
devastation and much more devastation in terms of infrastructure, houses. But I also saw a clear boost on humanitarian aid in the last three weeks
since we got the ceasefire. That's why it's so important to sustain the ceasefire, because it was a ceasefire that created the conditions that we
were lacking before.
I mean, security conditions and political conditions. And I will give you one example. UNOPS was bringing fuel to Gaza, and unfortunately, as you
know, fuel is the only source of energy in Gaza. We were bringing 100,000 liters of fuel every day in the last --for the last several months. From
the day one of the ceasefire, we went from 100,000 to 1.3 million liters of fuel.
This fuel has been fundamental in the last three weeks, to go to bakeries, to go to hospitals, to go to wash. So, water, sanitation, waste management
facilities. So, this is one example of why it's important to have a ceasefire that ensures --
SOARES: Yes --
DA SILVA: That aid goes to those most in need.
SOARES: Yes, and look, I was looking -- I was doing some research before this interview, and I came across some really staggering statistics from in
fact, from UNOPS. I'm just going to read it out for our viewers. "Critical infrastructure damage amounts to an estimated $18 billion. Around 90
percent of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
We're talking about electricity shortages have led to blackouts", Warner(ph), sanitation -- "water and sanitation systems have been
destroyed, and over 90 percent of primary roads have been damaged." I mean, with that in mind, Mr. Moreira da Silva, where do you start in terms of
facilitating, providing humanitarian aid?
Just talk us through the process here, because as we've shown viewers, these drone footage through the Strip, of course, it looks almost like --
it's just -- it's unrecognizable really.
DA SILVA: It's like an earthquake, Isa. What I --
SOARES: Yes --
DA SILVA: Saw in Gaza, it's like an earthquake. So, a total devastation of infrastructure. So, what do we need? To go in very practical to the
question that you frame. We need first of all, to go beyond the humanitarian aid and go quickly to early recovery. This requires removing
the rubble. Gaza is flooded by rubble, 50 million tons of rubble, including unexploded ordnance. So, we need to get rid of the rubble. We need to
remove the rubble. This is key. Then you need to --
SOARES: I'm sorry, and who -- and who removes -- and pardon me, and who removes the rubble? Was this -- Would this be UNOPS removing the rubble?
DA SILVA: I think that no agency alone can do it. We need --
SOARES: Yes --
DA SILVA: It's a -- it's a very complex operation, UNOPS is obviously already engaged in the process, but you will require a partnership among
many as we have seen in earthquakes in Syria, in Turkey, in Haiti, it's a very complex operation. There are environmental issues involved, the
mitigation of explosive threats, and this is critical.
Roads, you can't prepare anything for the future with 65 percent of the roads destroyed, you need shelters because 60 percent of the houses were
destroyed. And before the reconstruction, people need to stay in a safe place and a tent --
SOARES: Yes --
DA SILVA: Is not a good solution. So, we need shelters and we need water, sanitation, electricity. So, infrastructure is key, not in the
reconstruction phase only, already in the early stage of the early recovery.
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: And look, you were talking, Mr. Moreira da Silva, about partnership. And we know for so long that so many
in Gaza have relied on UNRWA and I'm talking about other agencies and NGOs I have spoken to including UNICEF and including many others who have had on
the show. We've also reported that Israel's Knesset, as of a few weeks ago, from -- if my mind serves me, right, banned the agency from activity within
Israel and barred Israeli authorities from any sort of contact for UNRWA.
What impact does this have on the movement of goods, on the basic humanitarian aid on this partnership that you say is so vital right now?
DA SILVA: We have been saying that UNRWA is irreplaceable. And you have heard this from the sec. general. So, now, let me say it from the
perspective of a sister agency, which is UNOPS vis-a-vis UNRWA. Why do I think that UNRWA is irreplaceable? Because in areas like humanitarian aid,
like distribution of fuel, others can step in. We have stepped in on the fuel distribution. It was UNRWA doing its distribution.
But there are areas where it's impossible to replace UNRWA, such as managing the schools and managing the hospitals. So, this element -- it is
not about constructing schools or constructing hospitals. Many agencies can do it, but providing the services of education and the services of health,
it's something that UNRWA has been doing and it's irreplaceable.
So, I really hope that a solution can emerge because it's fundamental to give hope to the people in Gaza. I visit a hospital today, the European
hospital, in Gaza, in Khan Younis, and I heard from the hospital, the doctors, the general manager things that I would never imagine that I put
hear, such as surgeries being done without anesthetics, post-surgical procedures without antibiotics, no safe water, they need to get the water
from the garden, and it's not safe. It's not the secure from an environmental and health point of view.
So, health requires water, sanitation, electricity. So, I really hope that we can sustain the ceasefire and open the new chapter that is early
recovery.
SOARES: Yes. And that's inside a hospital. We've also had cases of people in tents who have no clean water and sanitation. That's another huge
concern. Jorge Moreira da Silva, really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. Thank you, sir.
DA SILVA: Thanks.
SOARES: And still to come tonight, as the U.S. president looks to quickly end Russia's conflict with Ukraine, his approach is being met with
skepticism from many NATO allies. We have those details for you in just a moment.
Plus, Russia is a declining power trying to recover its colony. That's how Poland's foreign minister describes Russian President Vladimir Putin's war
in Ukraine. My conversation with Minister Radek Sikorski, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. Dozens have been injured after a car ploughed into a crowd in Munich in Germany. At least 28 people, including
children, were injured in what police believe was a deliberate attack. German authorities have detained the driver, who is said to be a 24-year-
old asylum seeker from Afghanistan. The incident comes as world leaders descend on the city for the Munich Security Conference. Our producer, CNN
Producer Sebastian Shukla, visited the scene in Munich and filed this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN PRODUCER: I'm here at this crossroad in Central Munich where you can see that another attack against the German people have
taken place as this white Mini Cooper vehicle plowed into a group of some 28 people on a peaceful protest this morning at around 10:30 a.m. You can
see the chaos and destruction that was wrought by it. Those tin foil blankets left a strewn on the floor to deliver that emergency first aid.
And even more disturbingly, what appears to be a child's pushchair.
The police have told us the perpetrator of this attack was a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker residing here in Germany. And questions will now start
to abound about how an incident like this was allowed to take place given the massive security operation that is going on in this city at the moment
with the Munich Security Conference, where we will have heads of state, heads of governments coming here to the city to discuss, ironically,
international security issues.
For Germany though, this will be another reminder that the election that is coming around the corner will force the issue of a migration to the fore
one more time, and something that the far-right will look to seize on. And of which German Bavarian politicians here have already said may be an
attack.
Sebastian Shukla, Munich.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: We turn now to our other top story this hour. The coverage, of course, of this critical moment we're following, the three-year conflict
between Russia and Ukraine, going on to the fourth year, in fact.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expecting a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, possibly as soon as next week in Saudi Arabia.
A potential peacemaking summit could Putin's favor, since Saudi Arabia is not a member of the International Criminal Court, which has issued a
warrant for the Russian president.
Meantime, the U.S. and Russian leaders approach a possible end to the conflict is raising alarm bells across Europe. The E.U.'s foreign policy
chief is warning against a, quote, "quick fix or dirty deal," her words, saying that Europe and Ukraine must be at the table for any peace talks.
Our Matthew Chance is getting reactions to this moment from residents in Ukraine.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the Trump administration talks peace in Ukraine, Moscow is pressing hard on
the front lines.
This, the latest fighting in war-ravaged Donbass, where Russian forces have been advancing relentlessly. No wonder many Ukrainians feel skeptical of
Trump's brash diplomatic push.
YULIA KAZDOBINA, KYIV RESIDENT: There's a lot of noise, and Trump sends the signal that he wants to end the war, but I don't think Russia is
interested in ending it. And so, unfortunately, no matter how much we want peace, I don't think it's possible.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
CHANCE (voice-over): There's also alarm that Ukraine is being sidelined. President Zelenskyy was left meeting the U.S. treasury secretary in Kyiv
this week, as President Trump spoke directly with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's strongman. Trump and Zelenskyy spoke afterwards.
[14:40:00]
But for Ukrainians, Washington's priorities are worryingly clear.
NATALIA STECHEN, KYIV RESIDENT: I think Trump and Putin can have good relationships and it's bad for Ukraine, because we can't talk about war and
about Ukrainian people and about our situation without our president or our people.
CHANCE (voice-over): At this makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers in Kyiv, poignant reminders of the sacrifice Ukrainian troops and American
volunteers have already made. But Trump's recent remarks that Ukraine may someday be Russian and concessions on NATO membership and territory have
left many Ukrainians feeling bereft and betrayed.
Why did these guys die? And why did they even defend these territories, asks Oleksandr (ph). That's why I don't think it's acceptable, he says. We
should not give up our land.
But in this new era of Trump-Putin diplomacy, Ukrainian hopes and expectations no longer take center stage.
Matthew Chance, CNN London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And our thanks to Matthew for that report. As we mentioned at the top of the hour, we are waiting to see that an executive order being signed
by President Trump at the White House over reciprocal tariffs, as you remember, is a key part of his campaign.
We know that the president is announcing, this is behind closed doors, another round of new sweeping tariffs, as we heard from our Matt Egan at
the top of the show. Much of this won't go into effect straight away. It is a negotiating tactic on the lines of what we saw, if you remember, with
Mexico and Canada, that promise of 25 percent that then was -- that was negotiated and pushed into March. That is a negotiating tactic, but it is
something that we're expecting to see in the next few moments.
But this is something that we've heard from the president time and time again. These are countries that he feels, that he believes that are ripping
off the United States. He wants to bring the trade deficits signed, and this is important, and so that is his leverage as he signs his executive
order.
This comes, of course, also as we look ahead to Prime Minister Modi, who is visiting -- of India, who is visiting the United States, both get on very
well, but tariffs could be a concern here. We also heard at the top of the show from our correspondent, Matt Egan, who was saying that the countries
that mostly will be affected will be those developing countries, it will be India, Brazil, Vietnam, that potentially could be hit the hardest, of
course, if these tariffs going to affect, if there's negotiations on that front.
And then, of course, if they do go into effect, think of the impact this could have on the U.S. economy. You know, the markets at the moment taking
very much in their strides. In fact, if we bring up the Dow Jones, we were monitoring it early in the day, still pretty much in line with what we saw.
Actually, it's actually got up slightly. It was a heart of 50 percent or so up 50 percent -- half of 1 percent, pardon me, it's up almost 1 percent
this hour.
So, very much understanding what we're likely to see today as a negotiating tactic, a tactic by President Trump. But the concern is, of course, if they
do go into effect, if then the other countries reciprocate these tariffs, then that could have an inflationary impact on the United States, and that
is the concern, of course.
But Mr. Trump has said time and time again that these tariffs benefits the American workers and are good for national security. He said earlier today,
very simply, if they charge us, we charge them. So, important to see what we are likely to see here, as we bring that graphic up to you, that some of
the tariffs expected on imports, matching levies imported on U.S. exports and designed, of course, to really level the playing field and the impact
that this could have.
Leavitt was talking a bit earlier today just ahead of -- Karoline Leavitt, the white house press secretary, talking about Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and what we'd like to see. And she said earlier today, this is something, speaking of President Trump, he believes strongly in and it's
very simple logic as to why the president wants to impose reciprocal tariffs. And she went on to say that the other countries have been ripping
off, her words, the United States. And that's why the president believes this will be a great policy that will benefit American workers, improve our
national security.
[14:45:00]
This is something that I've heard here from E.U. contacts of mine. They are also concerned over tariffs coming their way and what impact this will
have, of course. But so far, from what we understand, from what we heard at the top of the show, that these are -- these tariffs as executive order are
being seen very much at this stage as a negotiating tactic. Let's have a listen.
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Go ahead, please. Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, you are meeting Prime Minister Modi of India this afternoon.
TRUMP: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What kind of trade and tariff relationship would you like to have with India and what's the vision for India and U.S.?
TRUMP: India traditionally is the highest -- just about the highest tariffed country. They charge more tariffs than any other country. And I
mean, we'll be talking about that. But again, whatever they charge us, we're charging them. So, it works out very well. It's very -- it's a
beautiful simple system. And we don't have to worry about, gee, we're charging too much or too little.
But traditionally, India is right at the top of the pack, pretty much. There are a couple of smaller countries that are actually more, but India
is a very, very -- they charge tremendous tariffs. I remember when Harley Davidson couldn't sell their motorbikes into India because of the fact that
India -- the tax was so high, the tariff was so high. And Harley was forced to build -- I guess they built, I don't know, that was a while ago, but I
think they built a factory in India in order to avoid paying the tariffs.
And that's what people can do with us. They can build a factory here, a plant or whatever it might be here, and that includes the medical, that
includes cars, that includes chips and semiconductors, that includes everything. If you build here, you have no tariffs whatsoever. And I think
that's what's going to happen. I think our country is going to be flooded with jobs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What should consumers expect? Are prices going to go up short-term, long-term?
TRUMP: Well, not necessarily. I mean, not necessarily. But I'll tell you what will go up is jobs. The jobs will go up tremendously. We're going to
have great jobs. Jobs for everybody. This is something that should have been done many years ago.
China did it. I mean, China did it at a level that probably nobody's ever seen before. If you manufactured a car, you couldn't send it into China.
The tariff was so high. So, everybody went and they built in China. It was no big secret. So, we're going to see. But it's going to mean tremendous
amounts of jobs.
And ultimately, prices will stay the same, go down. But we're going to have a very dynamic country.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But if prices go up, Mr. President, because of these tariffs, who do you think voters should hold responsible?
TRUMP: Oh, I think what's going to go up is jobs are going to go up, and prices could go up somewhat short-term, but prices will also go down. And I
think the farmers are going to be helped by this very much, because product is being dumped into our country, and our farmers are getting hurt very
badly by the last administration.
The last administration hated our farmers, like, at a level that I've never seen before. I think our farmers are going to be helped. And again, if
somebody wants to come in, including the car companies, if they want to come in and build car plants, they'll do it without tariffs, and therefore,
prices won't go up. There could be some short-term disturbance, but long- term it's going to make our country a fortune.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, Americans should prepare for some short-term pain possibly?
TRUMP: No, you said that. I didn't say that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, if prices go up --
TRUMP: Let's see what happens. Nobody really knows what is going to happen other than we know that jobs are going to be produced at levels that we
haven't seen before. We know that -- we think interest rates are going to ultimately be coming down because of things that happen, and they go hand
in hand with the tariffs. But we think that the prices for some things, many things, it could be all things, will go down. Ultimately, will go
down.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, can you explain the timeline here, sir? There's a period of time for a review, a report, 180 days. What's the
earliest date that you think tariffs will actually be implemented and --
TRUMP: Well, I would say -- maybe I'll ask Howard to answer that. Because he's going to be the one that's implementing. What do you think?
HOWARD LUTNICK, TRUMP'S NOMINEE FOR U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE: Our studies should be all complete by April 1st. So, we'll hand the president
the opportunity to start on April 2nd, if he wants. So, I think we'll be ready to go on April 1st. And we'll hand it to the president, and he'll
make his decisions.
But remember, if they drop their tariffs, prices for Americans are coming down. Our production's going up, and our costs are going down. Remember,
it's a two-way street. That's why it's called reciprocal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you spoken to any American CEOs directly about this? Are they calling you and asking for exemptions?
TRUMP: I've spoken to many, and many love it. And they say this is going to be the thing that makes our country really prosperous again. And this is
going to what -- be what pays down to $36 trillion dollars in debt and all the other things. And this is going to be -- this is an amazing day.
[14:50:00]
This -- I think this is going to be a very big day and in a very positive way for our country. Yes, please.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, you've talked about the VAT in the E.U. before and your concerns with how the E.U. treats you. Do you have a number
in mind on the European Union? Do you have an idea of where that number is going to land?
TRUMP: Well, what they are now is they have a 20 percent VAT tax, which we're considering to be similar or the same as the tariff. Plus, they
charge lots of fees. And, you know, they're doing something else. The European Union's been very tough on our companies. They sued Apple, they
sued Google, they sued Facebook. They sued many other companies, and they're American companies, and the kind of numbers are staggering. And the
court system over there is not very good to our companies. If you know that Apple had to pay, I think, $16 billion dollars in a penalty, a court case
that was really shocking because most people thought they would have won that court case, people that watched it. So, they've been very tough.
Airlines have called me up and they said, could you help us with Europe because they're charging us so many different fees? I got a call from the
head of American United and other airlines saying, every time we land a plane we get just absolutely killed by the European Union. And so, they
haven't been treated as good.
You know, we think the European Union is wonderful. We all love Europe. Love the countries in Europe. But the European Union has been absolutely
brutal on trade. Canada has been very bad to us on trade. But now, Canada is going to have to start paying up. And Canada has been tough on the
military because they don't have a very -- they have a very low military cost. They think we're going to, you know, protect them with our military,
which is unfair.
So, Canada is going to be a very interesting situation because, you know, we just don't need their product and yet, they survive off the fact that
we're -- you know, we do 95 percent of what they do. And Canada is just absolutely, I say it and sometimes people smile and sometimes they say
great idea, but Canada -- where -- their taxes would come down greatly, their security would go up greatly. Amazing things happen to Canada.
And really, Canada, in this particular -- why would we pay $200 billion a year in subsidies to Canada when they're not a state? You do that for a
state, but you don't do that for somebody else's country. So, I think Canada is going to be a very serious contender to be our 51st state.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- with Canada? There was obviously a delay in implementing those tariffs.
TRUMP: I spoke to Governor Trudeau on numerous occasions, and we'll see what happens. But it just sets up so good for them. Look, the people would
pay much less tax than they're paying right now. They'd have perfect military protection. They don't have any military protection because they -
- essentially, because -- and you take a look at what's going on out there. You have Russian ships, you have China ships, you have Chinese ships, you
have a lot of ships out there and, you know, people are in danger.
This is a different world today. It's a different world. They need our protection. Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You mentioned Elon Musk and the efforts that he's undertaking with your authority. You granted him new authority this week.
Will he secure any new government contracts while he is working on DOGE?
TRUMP: No, not if there's a conflict. If there's no conflict, I guess, what difference does it make? But we won't let him do any of the --
anything having to do with the conflict.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you personally checking to make sure there's no conflicts of interest?
TRUMP: Yes, I am. I am.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He answers to you?
TRUMP: Sure, he does. First of all, he wouldn't do it. And second of all, we're not going to let him do anything where there's a conflict of
interest.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, I hear negotiations with the E.U. are -- you know, there's discussions ongoing already. How quickly do you expect
that you'll hear back from them about any of these other measures?
TRUMP: I don't know. I can't tell you. Yes. The E.U.'s been very nasty. And it's just been -- they haven't treated us properly. Look, we were great
to them on NATO. Essentially, it's a similar group of countries. When I came in, my first term, I raised their fees. I mean, they were not paying.
We were paying for, in my opinion, almost all of NATO. And now, you know, I had the bad moment with the press, where the press said, well, does this
mean you won't protect them? And I said, I won't protect them if they're not paying.
But because I said that, the secretary general, as you know, said it was the greatest thing he's ever seen because the money came pouring in. And --
but they don't treat us right on trade. They don't treat us right on the military either. I mean, if you look at Ukraine, we're in for probably $200
billion more than Europe. Why are we in for more than Europe? We're in for more than Europe. I mean, think of it -- or NATO. I mean, that's just call
it now because Canada's in.
[14:55:00]
By the way, Canada is just about the lowest payer also, just -- you know, they shouldn't be. They are just about the lowest payer in NATO in addition
to everything else. So, Canada has really been taken advantage of.
And if they had to pay just something modestly fair, they wouldn't be able to succeed as a country. And that's why I feel they have to become a state.
Yes, ma'am.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Mr. President. Is it your expectation that partners will offer major concessions and that you actually don't end up
applying those tariffs?
TRUMP: No, I think that a lot of them will stay the same and whatever they pay, I'll pay. I mean, we'll have a lot of them stay the same. I think
some. Look, I heard they -- as an example, E.U. lowered their tax on cars down to the exact same amount that -- they were much higher. They were
approximately five times higher and they lowered them down to the exact tax that we're charging. That took place like yesterday or the day before. Is
that a correct statement? I think so. Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you expect any exemptions or waivers?
TRUMP: I don't expect that, no. This is a simple system. I mean, there wouldn't be any. And, in the case of Apple, I gave them a waiver, an
exemption in my first term because Samsung was in South Korea and Samsung didn't have to pay the tax because it was a tax on China, and Apple makes a
lot of their product in China. So, I did that because it wouldn't have been fair. But now, this applies to everybody across the board. This is a much
simpler way of doing it. Much better way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, are you concerned -- you had that call yesterday with President Putin of Russia.
TRUMP: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Zelenskyy responded today basically saying any agreements they won't accept unless they're made with Ukraine. Will
Ukraine have a seat at that table for those negotiations?
TRUMP: Of course, they would. I mean, they're part of it. We would have Ukraine, we'd have Russia, and we'll have other people involved too. A lot
of people, a lot of forks in the -- a lot of forks in this game. I'll tell you what, this is a very interesting situation, but the Ukraine war has to
end. Young people are being killed at levels that nobody's seen since World War II. And it's a ridiculous war. And it has to end.
We had a good talk with President Putin. Well, I had a good talk with President Zelenskyy. Very good talk. And somebody said, oh, I should have
called Zelenskyy first. I don't think so. I mean, we have to find out whether or not Russia wants to make a deal. I know that Zelenskyy wants to
make a deal because he told me that. But I now know that Russia wants to make a deal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you asked Secretary Hegseth to walk back his comments yesterday saying Ukraine won't join NATO and won't go back to pre-
2014 borders because those are bargaining chips you could use?
TRUMP: No, I didn't know. Somebody told me to, but I thought his comments were good yesterday and they're probably good today. They're a little bit
softer perhaps, but I thought his comments from yesterday -- I thought his comments yesterday were pretty accurate. I don't see any way that a
country, in Russia's position, could allow them -- just in their position, could allow them to join NATO. I don't see that happening.
And long before President Putin, Russia was very strong on the fact that -- I believe that's the reason the war started. Because Biden went out and
said that they could join NATO, and he shouldn't have said that. As soon as he said that, I said, you know what, you're going to have a war now, and I
was right about that. This is a war that would have never happened if I were president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you don't think it's President Biden's fault, not President Putin? I mean, he's the one who --
TRUMP: I think Biden is incompetent, and I think when he said that they could join NATO, I thought that was a very stupid thing to say. I thought
when he said, well, it depends if it's a minor incursion. In other words, it's OK if Russia does a minor incursion. I thought that was a very foolish
thing to say.
Mostly, he got it started. The other thing that got it started was how badly Milley and these stupid people, bad generals, how badly they did with
Afghanistan. I was going to pull out, but we were pulling out with dignity and strength, and we were going to take our equipment with us and
everything else.
They are -- I mean, what they're doing is -- what they did with that -- I think Putin looked at that mess and he said, wow, this is a great time, I'm
going to go in. But what the Americans said -- I'm not blaming Americans, but I will say what they said had a big influence on his deciding to go in.
Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Elon Musk met with Prime Minister Modi earlier today, did he do so as an American CEO, or did he do so as a representative
of the U.S. government?
TRUMP: Are you talking about me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, Elon Musk.
TRUMP: Oh, Elon. I don't know. He -- they met. And I assume he wants to do business in India. But India is a very hard place to do business in,
because of the tariffs. They have the highest tariffs, just about, in the world, and it's a hard place to do business. No, I would imagine he met,
possibly, because, you know, he's running a company. He's doing this as something that he's felt strongly about for a long time, because he sees
what's happening, and he sees how the country is really being hurt badly by all of the fraud, waste, and abuse. Yes.
[15:00:00]
END
