Biden calls Japan and India ‘xenophobic’ countries

Policy

By SEUNG MIN KIM, Associated Press

May 2, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that don’t welcome immigrants, lumping them in with their adversaries China and Russia as he attempted to explain their economic situation and pitted the four against the United States on immigration.

The remarks, during a campaign fundraising event Wednesday evening, came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a lavish official visit, during which the two leaders celebrated what Biden called an “unbreakable alliance,” particularly on global security. imported.

The White House hosted Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi for a state visit last summer.

Japan is a key ally of the United States. And India, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, is a critical partner in the Indio-Pacific region despite differences over human rights.

At a hotel fundraiser where the donor audience was largely Asian Americans, Biden said the upcoming U.S. election is about “freedom, America and democracy” and that the country’s economy was prosperous “thanks to you and many others.”

“Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said. “Look, think about it. Why is China experiencing such economic stagnation? Why is Japan struggling? Why is Russia? Why is ‘India? Because they are xenophobic.

The president added: “Immigrants are what make us strong. This is not a joke. That’s not hyperbole, because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and contribute. »

There was no immediate reaction from the Japanese or Indian governments. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Biden was making a broader point about the U.S. position on immigration.

“Our allies and partners know in a tangible way how much President Biden values ​​them, their friendship, their cooperation and the capabilities they bring across the spectrum on a range of issues, not just security-related,” said Kirby Thursday morning when asked about Biden’s comments. “xenophobic” remarks. “They understand how completely he appreciates the idea of ​​alliances and partnerships.”

Biden’s comments came at the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and he was introduced at the fundraiser by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., one of the two senators of Asian-American origin. She is national co-chair of his re-election campaign.

Japan has acknowledged problems with its shrinking population and the number of babies born in the country in 2023 fell for the eighth consecutive year, according to data released in February. Kishida has called Japan’s low birth rate “the biggest crisis facing Japan” and the country has long been known for its closed-door stance on immigration, although Kishida’s government has, in recent years, modified its policies to make life easier. foreign workers to come to Japan.

Meanwhile, India’s population grew to become the world’s largest, with the United Nations saying it was on track to reach 1.425 billion. Its population is also younger. Earlier this year, India enacted a new citizenship law that fast-tracks the naturalization of Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to India from Afghanistan, the Bangladesh and Pakistan. But this excludes Muslims, who constitute the majority in all three countries. This is the first time that India has set religious criteria for citizenship.

Associated Press Chief Political Reporter Steve Peoples and Associated Press Writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.