you're watching beyond 100 days. donald trump slaps billions of dollars in tariffs on imports from china and warns this isjust the beginning. the european union is still in limbo — it's not clear here in brussels whether they've won an exemption from these american sanctions or not. mr trump said the us trade deficit with china is out of control but financial markets didn't like the announcement. they fell on fears of a trade war. if they charge us, we charge them the same thing is about is how it has got to be. it has not been a way for many decades. president trump's lead lawyer in the investigation into alleged russian interference resigns. also on the programme... the founder of facebook apologises for its role in the cambridge analytica scandal, and admits more needs to be done to protect the personal data of its users. get in touch with us

using the hashtag ‘beyondioodays.’ hello and welcome. i'm katty kay in washington and christian fraser is in brussels. it is easy to fire the first salvo in any war, the question is, what happens next? president trump has launched america onto an uncertain path with the announcement of tariffs on at least $50 billion worth of imports from china. china is likely to retaliate against us products, hence the uncertainty. and what is also not clear is how many other countries will be hit by the white house's protectionist moves. european leaders gathered here in brussels would agree with mr trump that beijing has employed unfair trade practices — but there is precious little common ground when they too are coming in for criticism. it is the largest deficit of any

country in the history of our world. it is out of control. we have a tremendous intellectual property theft situation going on, which likewise is hundreds of billions of dollars. that is on a yearly basis. where does this take america and the rest of the world? let's get the thoughts ofjohn stones —— john sobel —— let's get the thoughts of our north america editorjon sopel whojoins me now in the studio. is this the beginning of a trade war? sounds like it. when you're talking about slapping $50 billion worth of sanctions on china. you now have the well‘s ‘s powerful economy

and the second—biggest economy lined up and the second—biggest economy lined upfor and the second—biggest economy lined up for that you have china threatening to retaliate. they are carefully calibrating their targets. they are talking about hitting american agriculture products. the export of live peaks. sawyer, one of the biggest markets. they are saying we might take aim at those, which is the heart of donald trump country. farmers are saying the steady on this trade war stuff. this could do real harm to the us economy. the most senior businessmen in america have been going into the white house could try to make absolutely clear they believe it is the wrong decision at the wrong time to launched harris against china. they are talking about the global economic recovery which could be put into jeopardy by economic recovery which could be put intojeopardy by this. economic recovery which could be put into jeopardy by this. —— economic recovery which could be put intojeopardy by this. —— launch tariffs. they have invested a lot of time this week. the trade commissioner in brussels has been in

washington. still tonight they do not have any clarity whether these exemptions will apply to european aluminium and steel. i have spoken toa aluminium and steel. i have spoken to a very senior source in the last hour or to a very senior source in the last hourorso, to a very senior source in the last hour or so, who said his understanding was that donald trump was going to go into a room with no cameras and was going to sign a proclamation to the effect of, that the direct of steel and aluminium ta riffs the direct of steel and aluminium tariffs will be lifted for the moment. it will be a pause is the word i have heard being used for the apple apply to friendly nations like australia, argentina, the eu, mexico, canada. the reason for this is, if you're going to start a trade war with china, you need allies. the one thing you do not do is offend your allies before you ask them for support for the looks as though donald trump will put a pause on steel and aluminium. it shows that

had not been thought through beforehand. if you are going against china, donald trump needs extra muscle from around the world and he recognises the way he will do that is by backing down. no fanfare, no cameras. there will be a signature, slightly larger than the normal one, committed to paper and in private. the markets will be relieved by that. thank you very much. you mentioned how they were reacting to this in brussels. what are they saying? it is extraordinary that you have today senior trade representative speaking to the senate finance committee saying, yes, there will be an exception for europe on these tariffs. yet, here, they do not believe it. they want to hear it from the mouth of the president. even if that happens when there not sure it is policy for what does that say about transatlantic relations at the moment when they

don't even know whether the president will commit to that? don't even know whether the president will commit to thanm don't even know whether the president will commit to that? it is how they have to deal with this administration, right? exactly. what you get is a press conference we have just had here with donald tusk saying we will postpone the discussion we were going to have earlier on tariffs dinner and maybe we will shift it till tomorrow when we get back clarity. we'll be talking —— are we talking about the sanctions going away or retaliation? they are principally talking about russia this evening and she is talking about the poisoning in salisbury and she's hoping she can get a much tougher statement from the other leaders about their concerns regarding the poisoning in salisbury. let's bring in our europe editor who is with me. i suppose, after a ll editor who is with me. i suppose, after all that has been said during the brexit debate up the last few

months, this is the first occasion when she can test whether she can move europe from the outside. this is the first test case brought theresa may after 12 months. very bad—tempered initiations between the eu and the uk leading up to the uk leaving and brexit itself. it is still rally her european allies was such a serious case of poisoning in salisbury? the short answer is, yes. there has been very loud talk of support. what she wants to see at the summit is about deeds as well as words. the uk once a robust response from the eu. you know from eu watching that when it comes to foreign policy, the us very divided. the fact they were not probably come toa the fact they were not probably come to a conclusion about what action can be taken tonight is more about their foreign policy and having 28 countries together than it is about brexit. it is unique occasion when

he reminded that on these occasions european organisations do not have much power and it comes down to nation states. you have the baltic nations who see the threat and say it is real. also what is very important, what you do see here, the fa ct important, what you do see here, the fact that even greece and hungary, the countries who traditionally back off a bit, they have closer ties to moscow. they did speak loudly to condemn the poisoning in salisbury. among the eu nation states, there is a real desire to keep close security wise to the uk after brexit. this ties in with what you were talking about on trade tariffs on what you can and cannot believe from washington at the moment. europe is very nervous and has relied for many years on the united states for security. it fears it can no longer absolutely rely on washington. that is where you see the 27 eu remaining

states wanting to stick with the uk after brexit to remain stronger because they believe europe as to be able to defend itself. lovely to see you. thank you for being with us. tomorrow we're going to talk about brexit. finally, we are going to talk about the future trading relationship and notjust the withdrawal and divorce proceedings but what the future trading relationship between europe and britain will actually look like. when it comes to relations over tariffs, russia, and a whole host of things, one of the most vocal critics is the republican senator jeff flake. he is retiring and he has let his opinions be very clear. we must never adjust to the coarse ness we must never adjust to the coarseness of our national diet and dashes dialogue with the tone is set at the top. we must never regard as

normal but casual undermining of our ideals and an american president who cannot take criticism and must deflect and deflect and distort and distract, who must find someone else to blame is charting a very dangerous path. senator, you have been critical of the idea of protectionism and imposing tariffs on other countries. do you think president trump is charting and uncertain, perhaps dangerous, path for america by the announcement of tariffs? i do. the last announcements on steel and aluminium in particular. that was tariffs, mixed with what he called flexibility, but was really uncertainty. they'll two poisons to the economy. helping to make business decisions, investment decisions, when you do not know what that harris will be. will you are assured of is some higher tariffs on some goods this latest announcement,

and we really have not had time to study it, to see if it is tailored and specifically to respond to intellectual property that or it is broader. do you think that china retaliates against america? that is definitely a possibility. if we are going to go after china issued on certain issues, intellectual property theft and trade secrets, you want your allies with you, your trade allies. if you have just imposed tariffs on them, what do you do? what organisation you work under? to good to the wto alone unilaterally? that is not the way to go. unilaterally? that is not the way to 90- -- unilaterally? that is not the way to go. —— do you go to the wto? unilaterally? that is not the way to go. -- do you go to the wto? the president has made it known he does not like the wto and does not like multilateral organisations that america has been part of and lead for the last 70 years. do you think donald trump can fundamentally

change the role of america in the world and the world itself? yes. this rule is based, liberal international order that was created after world war ii very much initiated by the united states with regard to security umbrellas and trade preferential treatment. this is very much lead to prosperity that we have seen in the world since world war ii. ijust cannot, for the life of me, want to know why the united states, being the one that initiated all of this, would be the one to run fastest from these organisations and institutions. i do think that it has the potential to really change the world as we know it. you have made it pretty clear, more so than all of your republican collea g u es more so than all of your republican colleagues that you are no fan of this president was is it that you don't like the guy? not at all. i have differences with him on policy,

on protectionist trade policy, on immigration issues, on muslim bands, religious freedom issues like that. but also, in terms of behaviour can adjust the lack of decency. just coarsening of the political culture. those of the things i have a problem with, not him individually. long before he ran for president i had issues with him pushing buffer is and some of these crazy conspiracies. you are leaving the senate was that he has said you're going to step down and do you think that donald trump will have a lasting impact on the tone that you call the coarseness of american political life? if you take a step back, is he a moment in time?“ political life? if you take a step back, is he a moment in time? if we, particularly as republicans if we let it slide and do not challenge the president, believe me i am sympathetic to my colleagues who do

not want to just talk about this all of the time. if we spend all our time responding to the latest tweet or statement from the white house or latest outrage quickly hardly have time for anything else was having said that, when the president goes so overboard sometimes it is our obligation to call him out. in that way, we can ensure this an aberration that this is not the new normal. if this becomes the new normal. if this becomes the new normal and we accept it as a regular course of events, then, yes, it will have a lasting impact that is my concern. one person who was watching donald trump very closely is the special counsel bob waller. are you concerned that donald trump might try to fire bob miller? if he did so, what would your public party do? iam so, what would your public party do? i am concerned. certainly, months ago, our majority leader said, i am concerned. certainly, months ago, our majority leadersaid, no, there is no reason for legislation.

by there is no reason for legislation. by the way, i don't think there is constitutional legislation that can be offered to pre—empt this kind of thing was we are a bit limited. he said, let's wait and see if he undermines orfires said, let's wait and see if he undermines or fires the independent counsel. he has certainly been undermining bob miller. he has stepped that up a notched this last weekend with a couple of tweets will stop with the change in legal representation leaving more on those who tend to believe in the conspiracy theories, i am concerned. i worry that it will prompt a constitutional crisis. thank you very much. thank you. the possibility of a constitutional crisis. newsdesk coming here. you heard senator flake, the man who is representing donald trump, he has

now resigned. john dowd stepped down as the president was increasingly ignoring his advice. he called for an end to the ties between russia and the trump campaign from the 2016 elections. that is the news from trump's legal team. john dowd was the guy who was trying to get donald trump to sit down with muller. last week he started calling him out for the first time on twitter, naming him, some say trying to undermine the investigation. is that why there has been this split? when the news broke in washington, the immediate reaction was that doesn't mean that donald trump will fire bob muller and get him fired? that is a step too far. i don't think you can read that much into dowd stepping down for is it is true that donald

trump's legal team is looking more confrontational and less acquiescent with the departure ofjohn dowd and other lawyers he has hired in the last few days you could see the president saying i'm not sure we do wa nt to president saying i'm not sure we do want to testify and may be taking on muller more aggressively. i do not know the point where the white house is searcy thinking about getting mullerfired it is is searcy thinking about getting muller fired it is a is searcy thinking about getting mullerfired it is a more is searcy thinking about getting muller fired it is a more aggressive legal team. —— seriously thinking. great to have senator flake on the programme. when it comes to the criticism that muller got last week, only a handful of republicans came out and criticise the president and defended the special counsel. it is republicans like jeff defended the special counsel. it is republicans likejeff flake, those who are on their way out and only them, who are there to criticise the president. it is interesting. on issues like immigration were

charlottesville, racism, i host of issues. i have noticed, just in the last few days, and the two issues the republicans are more keen to criticise donald trump on? tariffs, and the issue of congratulating russia was that you had a fairly broad sweep of republicans coming out of the last 2a hours saying, we do not like this idea that donald trump congratulated russia. it was president putin on his re—election, it was the wrong thing to do. being republicans and being in favour of free trade, we're not happy with the idea of a trade war. some are saying, be careful about these tariffs. we don't want to launch something if we do not know where it will go. it is organisations and alliances that underpinned the world. trade organisations much ignored but as important a part of keeping peace for the last 70 years, some people would say, with things like nato as well. last night, mark zuckerberg apologised for the mishandling of users' data.

today facebook‘s share price continued to slide and now the house energy and commerce committee says it's going to ask him to testify. the ceo of the social media giant went on us tv to try to explain how millions' of member's profiles ended up being used for political purposes and to reassure users it won't happen again. in an interview on cnn mr zuckerberg apologised to users but also said russia is probably still using the platform to influence american elections. it isn't rocket science. there is a lot of hard work we need to do to make it harder for nation states like russia to two election interference and make it so that trolls and other folks cannot spread fa ke trolls and other folks cannot spread fake news. we can get in front of us. we have a responsibility to do this, not only for the 2018 midterms in the us which would be a huge deal from it is a huge focus on as there

isa from it is a huge focus on as there is a big election in india, big election in brazil, big elections around the world. a couple of things he did not say in a statement last night, nor in that interview. he did not announce that there was a problem back in 2015 when, according to the whistle—blowers we heard from, they did know there was a problem. the other thing, if you knew about this, why was faced with taking on the new york times and the guardian at the weekend, trying to shut it down, when clearly there was a major problem? notjust taking them on, actually threatening to sue them on, actually threatening to sue the observer. what facebook wanted last night was for us to see a grown—up who have been humbled by this situation was in control of it. i think, looking at the share price of facebook today which fell again during the course of early trading currently got mixed reviews, as i said. it is not clear he managed to do that and the questions that remain are, they knew about this, why did they not do something about

it two years ago? are they responding to a crisis and had they responded well enough question he was trying to reassure people it will not happen again full to the trust issue. 0k. will not happen again full to the trust issue. ok. incidentally, iwas going to say, donald tusk did talk about it tonight. they have had a lot to say about digital today. they did say they will come down hard on it. it is a very soon thing they are looking out. don't be surprised if you hear more about facebook from the countries here in europe as well. i don't know about how the tone of the political debate is in brussels but here is how an edifying it is in russia right now for that joe biden said donald trump is the kind of guy he would have beaten up in high school. mr biden widely expected to run as a democratic candidate in 2020. and never one to let an attacker pass unanswered. almost self—fulfilling. mr trump

took to twitter this morning and continued the spat, calling joe brighton crazy and physically and mentally weak. he would go down fast and hard and cry all the way. you serious? this is unbelievable, isn't it? that is extraordinary. that is a preview of how bad it will be in 2020. i love the fact he had not even seen that so far only read at the same surprises when i read it. that is how bad it is. christian, this is how good political debate can be. we had tillerson earlier, rex tillerson, leaving office earlier today. in closing i would like to ask that each of you undertake to ensure one act of kindness each day. towards another person. this can be a very mean—spirited town. my my act of kindness to you,

christian, was to send you back to brussels. how has it been? excellent. how has it been? i never really left actually. my footprints are embedded in the carpet from where i lasted a summer ago to let me show you what it is really like. this is the gantry where they position the cameras from the european broadcasters on three sides overlooking the press pool. you don't get very much. you get about six feet. you'll was look rather nervously as to who is standing either side of you. somehow i am always the guy sat next to the man or woman with the booming voice and the sharp elbows. we also thought, how many years have i spent on this particular balcony? there was the greek summit of european bailout summit. i have lost a lifetime appear. how many more lifetimes before brexit is done? this is where it really happens, down here on the floor. these are

the scribblers, the journalists, from 28 different countries who are picking up every nuance of the leaders summit. i once worked out their 16 tables in here. you're talking about over 500 journalists. the worst nightmare ofjean—claude juncker. the only vision they get is through these two screens. the any into what is —— the only vision are getting what is going on behind closed doors. her to let you into a secret. with every summit, as you know, there is downtime. three, four, five o'clock in the morning when nothing is happening for them to know high while away the hours in this building? trying to find myself in the glass ceiling. you think i am

kidding. i promise you i have done that, sitting on my chair at 3am, 4am. the greek one particularly was a marathon. i have ten hours of this tomorrow and you are going on holiday next am indeed. this is beyond 100 days from the bbc. coming up for viewers on the bbc news channel and bbc world news, the border in ireland is one of the main issues being discussed by eu leaders at a summit here in brussels. and ahead of a march calling for greater gun control in the us organised by students. we take a look at america's long history of demonstrations. that's still to come. good evening. eastern parts of the

uk enjoyed some spring sunshine today. in the west there was much more powerful than we have seen outbreaks of rain moving in. everything coming in from the atla ntic everything coming in from the atlantic at the moment but at this band of cloud is bringing rain in from the atlantic. as we will see in the moment. much rain further east. this is where we got most of the rain. the rain is pushing eastwards. the main heaviness of the rain transferring northwards towards scotland. heavy rain in dumfries and galloway and cumbria. not much in the east of england. clouds break in the east of england. clouds break in the south—west and wales but it is windy. sunny spells developing across england and wales. rain in northern ireland and scotland. strong winds pushing up to the north—east of scotland and one or two showers in north—west of england and north wales. most of england should be tried with sunny spells. 13 degrees pretty good. some rain

arriving in the south—west of the backis arriving in the south—west of the back is by strong winds across cornwall possibly into devon. that continues overnight. the rain is very much lighter. it becomes drier in scotland and northern ireland. the touch of frost and icy patches around much milder further south across the uk put it into the weekend the rain will clear away. good sunny spells developing. temperatures rarely should be at this time of year. dahl, damp sort of day across the south—east of england. the rain, light and patchy, clearing away from the south—west and wales. towards the north west there could be a few blustery showers that made be a touch of snow in the mountains. temperatures about ten, 11. not a in the mountains. temperatures about ten, 11. nota bad in the mountains. temperatures about ten, 11. not a bad day away from the south—east. much better on sunday put up most parts of the uk will have a dry day on sunday. we will have a dry day on sunday. we will have an north—westerly breeze

bringing showers in scotland from much of england and wales will be dry with good spells of sunshine. ten which is getting up as high as 12 or 13. it is a long way off but we have a strong signal for a 12 or 13. it is a long way off but we have a strong signalfor a big change just we have a strong signalfor a big changejust in we have a strong signalfor a big change just in time for the easter weekend. there will be a northerly wind, therefore it is much colder and we may get someone to be showers. —— some wintry showers. this is beyond 100 days, with me, christian fraser in brussels. our top stories: markets fall after president trump begins to impose tariffs on chinese goods. president trump's lead lawyer in the investigation into alleged russian interference resigns. the founder of facebook apologises for its role in the cambridge analytica scandal, and admits more needs to be done to protect the personal data of its users. theresa may rallies eu support against what she's called russia's ‘brazen and reckless attack‘ against the uk. meanwhile, in salisbury, the police officer left seriously

ill after attending to poisoned russian spy sergei skripal has been discharged from hospital let us know your thoughts by using the hashtag... 'beyond—0ne—hundred—days' theresa may is in brussels tonight to rally support from eu leaders against what she's called russia's brazen and reckless attack against the uk. she says it's clear that the russian threat does not respect borders. and the russian ambassador to the uk has accused borisjohnson of insulting the entire russian nation by comparing the staging of the world cup there this summer to the olympics in nazi germany. é deeper in, deeper w : 3: m

# talk about divide and rule, tonight, she is trying to bring the united kingdom and the eu together and ironically, the europeans dodge the russians are trying to do that and split the europeans. different countries in the eu have different relationships with russia. the kremlin have made it clear and the greeks have confirmed that vladimir putin had a phone call this morning with the greek leader who was here. we know also the hungarians have a different attitude towards russia. italy also has a different relationship. this is one of the big challenges for theresa may, who is making a lot of noise about trying to bring the european union together on russia. of course, russia is willing to play a political game at that and even behind the game playing, of course they have got different strategic relationships. notjust different strategic relationships. not just because of different strategic relationships. notjust because of geography, but for different reasons. commercial links. tonight, she gets the copy slot. she seems to fill that role. because she will leave and tomorrow, they get down to the business of

brexit. yes, although for once, the business from britain is first up in the dinner tonight so they are opening bid and by talking about the european council response to the salisbury tonight attack. the draft conclusions we have seen, the documents already emerging that had been helpfully wreaked, suggests there will be a firm statement of support from the european union. theresa may is trying to do two things. first, toughen up the language and a senior eu figure who will be in the room listening to her has told me they think she will get her way in terms of toppling up the verbal response. but what's number 10 clearly wants is to use this moment as an opportunity to try to western countries together to say there has to be a different kind of international consensus to take britain on in a way that up until now, has not really happened. it is way too quick and we are not talking about anything, military action or anything, but it is about attitude.

and for some time, a couple months ago, theresa may made firm policy speech where she called out russia. and at that point, she made it quite clear that she believed they are a genuine threat to the rules —based order is number 10 likes to describe it. and while they are convinced russia is behind the attack in salisbury, it is clear politically, they are trying to say, this is a watershed moment and after this, they want countries to pull together to do something different. just quickly, the reaction of donald trump, are they scratching their heads about that? is anybody trying to deal with the white house and 2018, which viewers know, can't necessarily be sure of what is going to happen next. and in that context, it is very, very difficult. we saw that last week with the initial response to salisbury, the white house not convinced at first and then they did come alongside, then there was that very strong statement of support from the quartet, france, germany, the uk and the us. so it is

a real challenge to know whether they can be counted on rhetorically will stop and think beyond that behind—the—scenes, they are co mforta ble behind—the—scenes, they are comfortable that america would still bea comfortable that america would still be a very significant and trusted ally. thank you. well, doctors... doctors in the british city of salisbury have confirmed that the police officer who was injured in a nerve agent attack on two russians has been discharged from hospital. but former double agent sergei skripal and his daughter yulia both remain in a critical but stable condition. ajudge has given doctors permission to take blood samples from them — for testing by chemical weapons experts. here's daniel sandford. detective sergeant nick bailey has spent more than two weeks in hospital, much of it in a serious condition, after being one of the first responders to the salisbury nerve agent attack. but this evening, came this news. i'm pleased to say that sergeant nick bailey's condition has now improved and he was discharged from salisbury district hospital this afternoon. i personally want to wish nick and his family well and i know

that the staff right across the hospital will want me to share their very best wishes. i'm sure you'll understand that, for reasons of patient confidentiality, i'm not able to go into any further detail regarding nick's condition or his treatment. and nick bailey's chief constable read a statement on his behalf. people ask how i'm feeling, there are no words to explain how i feel right now. surreal is the word that keeps cropping up and it really has been completely surreal. i have been so very overwhelmed by the support, cards and messages i have received. everyone has been so incredible. and a judge released the most detailed description yet of the health of yulia and sergei skripal. both are heavily sedated, neither can communicate, and it's not known to what extent either will recover. no friend or relative has been in touch with the hospital to ask about their welfare.

thejudge ruled that, as they're unable to consent, doctors could take new blood samples from them to give to international inspectors from the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons, to independently check what made them so ill. the attack with what british experts believe is a russian—designed novichok nerve agent has left relations between russia and the uk at a new low. the russian ambassador said today that borisjohnson had insulted the russian people by equating this summer's world cup with hitler's 1936 olympic games. the border in ireland will be one of the main focuses between eu leaders during this summit here in brussels. one of the agreements in the proposed brexit text says there must not be a hard border on the island of ireland if no other solution is agreed. i have been talking to the european affairs minister, helen mcentee

the irish government is happy with the progress that has been made this week. 0bviously, before christmas, the joint report which was issued very clearly outlined the ways in which we can ensure that we avoid a border on the island of ireland. that we protect the good friday agreement and peace process. since then, it's been translated into the protocol document within the withdrawal agreement. and then obviously, this week, we were very pleased that there had been an agreement. and indeed, a letter from theresa may to donald tusk, the president of the council, stating that all of the issues which were outlined in the protocol, that they would find and that they would agree that there needed to be a legally operational solution to all of these and that they would agree to that. but most importantly, that that would have to be in the overall withdrawal agreement. so we're happy with the progress. obviously, there are a number of other things that have happened this week. we have agreed on the transition period. this is something that ireland has always advocated has

always advocated for, which the uk have... as much for your businesses as for british businesses. absolutely. this is something that gives citizens, business, north and south, east and west and throughout the rest of europe, an opportunity to plan, to prepare, to make sure that they are aware and sure of what will actually take place on the 31st of december 2020 and how they can prepare their business for that. so it's an extremely important step is well in the process. and you've been consulted all along the way. indeed, simon coveney was here on monday, before michel barnier and david davis gave their press conference. he was shown the elements of it. there are just some in this room, though, who think the irish side agreed to it with a bit of a heavy heart. they thought that maybe, the european commission might have played hardball on this transition and you might have got further down the road with the border issue. absolutely not. i mean, there is a process in this and we have worked with michel barnier and the task force and the eu on this throughout the entire process. and for us, what is important at this stage is that we can move on to discussing what the future framework will look like,

what that arrangement between the uk and the eu will look like, like, that we can agree the transition period. but most importantly, what has been agreed is that on monday, intensive negotiations and discussions between the uk and the eu will begin on actually taking that text, all of those issues, and translating that into something that is workable. the criticism has been that if you —— at the start of this process, the future relationship would be a lot further on with the board issue because the two are deeply entwined. it was agreed i think very early issue that there would be three key issues that would have to be resolved in phase one, that was busy financial settlements, citizens' rights and the irish border issue and for us but italy, we felt that if it got to the stage where we could not come to an arrangement, free trade arrangement or close arrangement and avoided border, we had the backstop position. but what is important to point out, this has a lwa ys is important to point out, this has always been our position that this is the backstop, it is solution c,

not a is the backstop, it is solution c, nota b, is the backstop, it is solution c, not a b, and for others, option a has always been. the closed trade skill. the alignment. the alignment, the close relationship, getting that outcome that is as beneficial for all of us and i think that is what we need to work towards. but it was extremely important that we had this backstop position and we are going to work to make sure that is included in the ward withdrawal agreement before october. can i torture about the options our b. say, but instance we don't get the close alignments both sides are looking for —— canet talk to you. so it is option b, a smart border. it is incumbent on the irish side to look at that openly and there has been attitude some that britain wrote this, you need to fix this. you involved in this process of finding a solution as the british side? for us, the solution to many of the challenges and the problems the on horizon would be solved by the on horizon would be solved by the uk remaining within the single market and the customs union, that is something that we have been told

won't happen. however, option b, a bespoke solution and many have said we could use technology or equipment. for us, we don't see that working. if you look at other examples, the likes of sweden and norway border, my colleagues in sweden would ask business the difficulties that they face and the border between norway and sweden is probably one of the biggest challenges and when you take into account may be a0 crossings compared to 300 plus an ireland, there is significant differences. let's pick up some of that with tony connolly, europe editor for the irish broadcaster rte. let's finish with that point on which she finished. it is very different sweden and norway order, they have a0 crossings and we have 300, she said. they don't like the smart border option at all. yes, the question of norway and sweden was explored by irish revenue officials,

irish customs officials. they were looking at the technology that was used there. then the irish government, this was last year, they got a little bit nervous about this because they did not want to be seen to be going off to explore technical solutions and then giftwrapping that solutions and then giftwrapping that solution for the british government. there was a point at which the irish gutmann said, this is a british problem, we're not going to solve it for them. and if you think about it, if the irish aspiration is no infrastructure, no hard border, at even the use of technology, which would require cameras, scanners, which would require a level of instruction that was unacceptable. and what the irish government wants is the status of. that is why they are somewhat allergic to this technological alignment. some people in the british government are frustrated because they said last yearin frustrated because they said last year in march 2016, we need to talk about a trade deal first. alongside the divorce. because the two are so

deeply entwined. you can't do one without the other. the irish response to that was, that's true, but you need sufficient progress on the border issue. that was the question, the hurdle britain had to get over to get into phase two from phase one. now we have a finite amount of time to talk about the framework to solve the irish border question. the irish orthodoxy is that you have the withdrawal treaty, which is the first big treaty marking britain's departure. and ireland is one of three key issues in that treaty. and the irish gutmann say, we need to guarantee that there won't be a hard border so that there won't be a hard border so thatis that there won't be a hard border so that is what is called option c, the backstop, the idea of aligning northern ireland with the rules of the single market and the customs union so that there is not a substantial difference in how things operate on one side of the border or the other. that is called the alignment option or option c. and it is the irish government's orthodoxy

that that should or has to be in the withdrawal treatment —— treaty as a backstop, as a guarantee. written talks about technological solutions. it says that if you have a deep and meaningful free it says that if you have a deep and meaningfulfree trade it says that if you have a deep and meaningful free trade agreement, you won't need a hard border in ireland. but the irish gutmann, those are things that can only be fleshed out beyond the withdrawal treaty, into the future trading relationship. so while that is well and good and those solutions might work. in the meantime, we need this guarantee in place and locked him and legally clear in the withdrawal treaty. good perspective. thank you very much indeed. and the irish will put some pressure on the british side, you can bet, over the next three months, to get to some discussion when they return here injune. still to come — supporters of tighter gun control are getting ready to march in washington

and other us cities. nick bryant looks at america's rich history of demonstrations. a memorial service has been held today in memory of the five people killed in the westminster terror attack a year ago today. khalid masood drove into pedestrians on westminster bridge, before stabbing pc keith palmer outside the houses of parliament. vicki young reports. a year ago today, on this estate and on westminster bridge, we were visited by what i regard as evil. senior politicians and faith leaders led tributes today to the five victims of the attack. westminster fell silent in their honour and remembered the shocking events of a year ago. the fear as khaled massoud ploughed his car into pedestrians on the bridge. the panic as people fled to safety.

pc keith palmer was fatally stabbed as he stood on duty protecting parliament. one of his colleagues recalls the moment it happened. mass confusion, really. eventually, one of my friends came over and said, who is it, who is the officer on the floor? he said, it's yourfriend, keith. and, well, terrible. a conservative minister had been among those desperately trying to save the officer's life. you rack your brains as to what more you could have done and should you have done things differently? there's all sorts of things you torment your mind with, but you can't. you have to understand everybody i think did their utmost

on that day and it's very, very sad. in her tribute, the prime minister said this was a day to remember those who were lost, but also, to defy those who sought to silence our democracy one year ago. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. supporters of gun control legislation are getting ready to descend on washington dc and other us cities this weekend. the ‘march for our lives' was organised by survivors of last month's parkland school shooting, and tens of thousands are answering their call. it's just the latest issue that has inspired mass protest, but america has a rich history of demonstrations and artistic works that reflect them. nick bryant has gone to the whitney museum, in new york, for an exhibit looking back on some of the key moments. we live in an age of political protest. whether it's african—america ns condemning police brutality, women campaigning against misogyny, schoolchildren demanding an end to gun violence, or white, working—class voters railing

against the establishment. the whitney museum of art has marked this turbulent chapter in the american story with an exhibition of politically inspired art. at its heart is the question — what's the role of the artist in the modern—day political realm? i think they're trying to assess the moment we're in, give some kind of true assessment of where we are. maybe some optimistic idea of how we can get out of certain moments. but also, reallyjust kind of gauge what the moment is. looking at a lot of this art, you're struck by its resonance today. yeah. the exhibition looks at works from the 19a0s to the current day. and i think you can look at it and say we're still dealing with these same issues, whether it's about racial segregation, whether it's about violence, whether it's about war. and you can be very cynical and say we haven't gotten out of these traps. this installation looks like a trophy room, but it actually showcases the history of police brutality in new york between the 19a0s and the 1990s.

each statuette memorialises an incident. it's the sort of work that could easily be constantly updated. yes, you could absolutely — of course, unfortunately — fill it in with not only incidents since this time, but other police departments around the country, around the world, military organisations. i mean, there's a lot of places you could look to think about this issue. now, walking through this gallery, you do notice the absence of one key figure, and that is donaldj trump. yeah. well, for us, i think the idea was that putting together an exhibition of the history of protests in the united states is more important than any one person, even the president of the united states. and the idea's to think, about about how artists see these issues, how different audiences have responded to it, and how artists might go on and continue to make work that shows us the moment that we're living in. art and protests are never in perfect sync. the creative process is not a rapid—response endeavour. so perhaps it will be some time yet

before the iconic images of the trump years emerge. nick bryant, bbc news, new york. and that will be on saturday and it will be some protest in washington. let's return to matters in brussels. joining me now is our brussels reporter, adam fleming, and senior europe correspondent for the guardian, jennifer rankin. welcome. a long day following events throughout the day. jennifer. first, the trade issue, there was anxiety earlier about whether they would get this exemption on steel and aluminium. where are we to come up are they a little more optimistic? they are certainly more optimistic, but it has been a long day and a long night ahead and discussions will go on among eu leaders and they are waiting to hear from the white house what the policy would be. so i think there is more optimism that they will be exempt, but they are not sure whether it will be

temporary or more permanent. with regards to brexit which they will talk about tomorrow, there was a bit ofa talk about tomorrow, there was a bit of a delay over christmas and the treaty was to sell —— was signed in december but people thought, is no deal still on the table? suddenly, we have renewed optimism with the signing of the transition, do you feel that within the british camp? yes, they are hopeful. they feel they have something to work with. they have been pressing for talks to move on to trade and security and they feel there are about to have that conversation and member states are being more open and flexible. but we are still hearing the strict line from the eu that they want to make sure that is no relationship outside the eu that is better than being a eu membersaid outside the eu that is better than being a eu member said there will be tough talks ahead. and adam fleming, star of brexit cast, how many ring binders have you got at the moment? ijust started the fourth this week,

it has been a big week! how much of the text is not in green, has not been approved? and it is the biggest stumbling block? when you're talking about what is in green, it is the d raft about what is in green, it is the draft of the brexit treaty which is about 130 pages long. it has been getting longer. three quarters is in green because both sides have agreed to those bits of it and it includes important chapters like citizens' rights, the rights of eu national squad to stay in the uk, uk citizens who want to continue living on the continent. the so—called brexit bill, the financial stuff has been agreed. 0ther bill, the financial stuff has been agreed. other things have turned green. but crucial bits stay white because they are not agreed. northern ireland, how to avoid a ha rd northern ireland, how to avoid a hard border. everyone agrees on the destination but not how to get there. how'd you solve disputes? they have agreed there should be a joint committee from people both sides to look in case the problems. they cannot agree whether the joint committee should refer disputes that cannot be solved the european court

ofjustice. to my ears, there's still quite big stumbling blocks. but both sides with giddy with excitement on monday that they have got so much of that document turned green. and it has got a new name. it was originally called the draft withdrawal agreement and the withdrawal agreement and the withdrawal of the united kingdom. it is now simply called the draft agreement on the uk's withdrawal. the document tomorrow everybody will talk about is whatever we are calling it now, it is the guidelines for phase two, the blueprints eu leaders will sign up to, the ground rules as they see them for the talks about the future relationship, a massive moment for the uk. it is what they wanted to talk about for ages. some people in the uk are excited they will get a new passport and it will be blue rather than the maroon colour we have. the problem is that this passport is going to be produced, we hear, the reports are correct, by a franco dutch company rather than a british company. this

is what nigel farage had to say earlier. under european union, pools, we treat other countries the same as our own and the only country that does that is the united kingdom. the french have insisted they print their own passports and they print their own passports and they use security reasons for doing that. we are talking about symbolism, what brexit represents, bishop in being done by british company. that is the ultimate economy, is it, passing the passport to the french? but if you truly believe in global britain, surely you welcome competition and you welcome the taxpayer getting test value for money. i think it does show the contradictions involved in the uk trade policy that will have to come to the fore. so unless you work ina to come to the fore. so unless you work in a factory in gateshead, you might lose yourjob because they have given it to the french. there are some caveats, the government has briefed this contract with this company will be £120 million cheaper

over the five—year life of the contract than if they had gone with de la rue, the previous holders of the contract. this franco dutch company has some very british factories employing british people and so there is a question tonight about how much these documents will be made in britain after all. we will look forward to tomorrow, we will look forward to tomorrow, we will talk about the future tomorrow, a lot to get into. we will be back here, thank you very much. goodbye. further west today, we have had more cloud. we have seen outbreaks of rain moving in. everything from the atla ntic rain moving in. everything from the atlantic at the moment. this cloud is bringing the rain from the atlantic. and as we will see, not much rain for the southeast and across east anglia. this is most of the rain into the evening and that turns east and the heaviness, the weight of the range transfer is north towards scotland. so heavy rain in dumfries & galloway into cumbria, not much in eastern

england. 0utbreaks in the south west and wales and the winds pick up with the rain so no frost. 5—7d. sunny spells across england and wales. rainfora spells across england and wales. rain for a while in northern ireland and scotland, have you rain and strong winds up to north—east scotland. showers for north west england and north wales. most finland and wales i with sunny spells, 12—13, pretty good. rain arriving in the south—west accompanied by strong winds across cornwall and devon. that rain continues through the evening and overnight. spilling into south wales and toward the southeast. here, the rain is lighter and dry in scotland and northern ireland and the air is colder, so some frost and icy patches. much milderfurther south. into the weekend, rain clears from the south east. 0therwise, good sunny spells, not many showers and temperatures were they should be at this time of year. a dull and damp day across the south east of

england. the rain is light and patchy,it england. the rain is light and patchy, it clears from the south west and wales. sunshine into northern england and northern ireland and scotland and towards the north west, some blustery showers and some snow over the mountains. typical temperatures, ten, 11 degrees. not a bad day. a better day here on sunday and most parts of the uk have a dry day on sunday with a north—westerly breeze bringing showers towards scotland and into northern ireland. much of england and wales is dry with good sunshine and wales is dry with good sunshine and temperatures getting out as high as 12, 13. we have a stronger signal for a big change in time for the easter weekend. more of an easterly or northerly wind which means it will be much colder and we may get more wintry showers. this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines at 8pm. the police officer who fell ill following the salisbury nerve agent attack has been discharged from hospital. in a statement read by a fellow police officer, detective sergeant nick bailey said he's thankful for the support he's received.

some days we've had about 300 messages from officers, the wider police family and the public. the level of support has been unbelievable. germany and france have tonight reiterated their backing for the uk over the incident, saying there was no plausible explanation other than that the russian state was responsible. anger from some conservative mps as it's reported britain's post—brexit passport will be manufactured in the eu — the government says it was a fair and open competition. one year on from the westminster bridge attack, a memorial is lit