Elizabeth Franz/Reuters
US President Joe Biden spoke in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 26th.
CNN
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President Joe Biden on Wednesday called Japan, a close ally of the United States, “xenophobic” at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., just weeks after praising the Japan-U.S. alliance at a state dinner.
The president made the remarks at an off-camera event, arguing that Japan, along with India, Russia and China, would be better off economically if it accepted more immigrants.
“You know, one of the reasons our economy is growing is because of you and so many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. And think about it: Why is China failing so badly? Why is Japan in trouble? Why are they xenophobic? So, according to official White House records released Thursday, they don’t want immigrants,” Biden said. An initial report of Biden’s comments released by the Collective Reporters Group did not include India in the list of countries he mentioned.
On Thursday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was trying to make a larger point by describing Japan and India as “xenophobic.”
“He was saying that when it comes to who we are as a nation, we are a nation of immigrants and it’s in our DNA,” she said on Air Force One. Biden told reporters on the plane, later adding that Biden had made “extensive comments” in his speech. Comments on Japan and India.
She said that despite Biden’s comments, the Japan-U.S. relationship is “important” and “enduring” and will continue. As for whether the president would make similar statements in the future, she said, “That’s up to the president.”
Earlier, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he was not aware of any communications between the White House and the Japanese or Indian governments.
“President Biden highly values the capabilities that he brings to the table on a variety of issues, not just security-related,” Kirby said.
Biden similarly criticized Japan, Russia and China as “xenophobic” in an interview with a Spanish-language radio station in March.
“The Japanese and the Chinese are xenophobic and don’t want anything. The Russians don’t want anyone who isn’t Russian, Chinese, or Japanese,” the president said at the time.
The latest criticism of Japan comes less than a month after the president hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a state guest, and less than a year after the president hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a state guest. It was conducted. Biden is leaning toward improving relations with both Japan and India as a key counter to China’s growing global influence.
Biden said at a state dinner at the White House in April that Japan and the United States share “the same values, the same commitment to democracy and freedom of dignity.”
“And today, without a doubt, our alliance is literally stronger than ever before,” Biden said at the dinner.
Japan has long experienced a demographic crisis with far-reaching effects on the country’s workforce and economy. Japan and other East Asian countries have largely avoided using immigration to increase their populations.
The president’s comments come as he faces political pressure at home over his immigration policies, as resources to deal with an influx of immigrants and sharp criticism from Republicans are strained. be.
This article has been updated with quotes from official White House records and additional reporting.
CNN’s jesse yong contributed to this report.
