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White House defends Biden's statement calling India, Japan, Russia and China “xenophobic”
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that his comment was part of a "broader point" that related mainly to the contribution of immigrants to America's economy.
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a media briefing. / Screengrab/@PressSec Twitter
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on May.2 defended US President Joe Biden’s remarks calling countries such as India, Japan, Russia and China "xenophobic," saying that his statement was part of a "broader point" relating to the contribution of immigrants in making America stronger.
"He (Biden) was 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 said.
"It relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with India (and) with Japan. And the President, if you just look at the last three years, has certainly focused on those diplomatic relationships," Jean-Pierre said.
Biden on May.1 said that migration had been good for his country’s economy while other nations such as India and China were having trouble because of “xenophobia”. He delivered the remarks at a fundraising event in Washington for his re-election campaign.
"He was talking about who we are as a country,” the White House Press Secretary added while defending the US President. “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.”
India and Japan also happen to be members of QUAD — a four-member strategic security dialogue along with Australia and the US.
“The President is always going to be really clear on speaking to issues that matter to 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,” Jean-Pierre said.
Last month, the International Monetary Fund predicted that each country would see its growth decelerate in 2024 from the previous year, ranging from 0.9 percent in highly developed Japan to 6.8 percent in emerging India.
The United States would grow at 2.7 percent, slightly brisker than its 2.5 percent rate last year, the IMF forecast. Many economists attribute better-than-expected performance partly to migrants expanding the country's labor force.
Concern surrounding irregular migration has become a key issue for many US voters ahead of November's presidential election.
Biden, having criticized his Republican opponent Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, has actively pursued extensive economic and political partnerships with nations like Japan and India, aiming to counter China and Russia.
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