The White House on Thursday sought to defend US President Joe remarks, calling two of the country's QUAD partners — India and Japan — "xenophobic" nations. He included Russia and China as well on the list. Biden, at an election fundraiser on Wednesday, said that these countries, unlike the US, did not welcome immigrants.
Defending the remarks, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Biden was only making a "broader point". “He was making a broader point. Our allies and partners know very well that — how much this president respects them," the White House Press Secretary told media persons on Thursday.
What Did Joe Biden Say About India And Japan?
During a Democratic Party fundraiser, President Biden, under fire for his immigration policies, stressed the importance of the upcoming election. He highlighted its connection to freedom, American values, and democracy. He also mentioned the role of immigrants in the nation's economic growth, contrasting the US's welcoming approach with what he described as "xenophobic attitudes" in other countries, including China, Japan, Russia, and India.
India and Japan, both members of the QUAD alliance, have engaged in diplomatic visits with the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India visited last year, while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the White House in April.
Biden's immigration policies have faced criticism from opponents, particularly regarding illegal immigration, which has become a contentious issue in the presidential race.
White House's Response To Biden's "Xenophobic" Remark
She further said that the US-Japan relationship is an important alliance. "As you know, with regards to Japan, they were just here for the state visit," she was quoted as saying by PTI.
"He [Biden] was making a more broad comment, speaking about this country and speaking about how important it is to be a country of immigrants and how it makes our country stronger. And so, that’s what he was talking about,” she told reporters at a press conference.
Speaking about the relations with India and Japan Karine Jean-Pierre said: “Obviously, we have a strong relationship with India [and] Japan. And the President, if you just look at the last three years, has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships."
“He was talking about who we are as a country. He was talking about the importance of being in a country of immigrants, especially as you see the attacks that we have seen very recently, in the last couple of years, those attacks on immigrants, in particular,” the White House Press Secretary said, defending President Joe Biden's remarks.
Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden is always going to be "clear" while speaking about issues that affect the American people. "We are a country of immigrants. That matters. And we’ve seen these attacks. And so, the President is never going to shy away from that,” she said.
She was further quoted as saying by PTI: “It is important for us to remember that we are a country of immigrants. I’m explaining what he was talking about and what he was focusing on in those comments: a country of immigrants makes us stronger. It is important to be very clear about that."