White House feels media heat over Biden’s ‘xenophobic’ remarks for India, Japan

Washington, May 3 , 2024 : The White House was hard-pressed to explain President Joe Biden’s description of “xenophobic” for the US’ Quad partners India and Japan, and managed to ward off pointed queries from the media by saying the president has
“focused on those diplomatic relationships” during his term. Cornered by a media person who wanted to know whether President Biden wanted to push away Japan, a key US ally, with his “off-the-cuff remarks”, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre fumbled for the right choice of words. President Biden, while speaking at a Campaign Reception in Washington, termed India and
Japan, along with China and Russia, as “xenophobic”, which he said is one of the major reasons why their economies are “stalling”.
At the White House press gaggle, a media person asked about President Biden’s Wednesday night comments “lumping” India and Japan with China and Russia, calling them “xenophobic”. Q – “It’s something that’s typically reserved for U.S. adversaries. Is there a concern that he is pushing a key U.S. ally in a region and a key bulwark against China away from the U.S.? Is there
concern that that relationship is being harmed by these off-the-cuff remarks? Jean-Pierre: So, a couple of things. I mean, he was making a broader point, as I was saying earlier, when I was answering Karen’s question about this country. And our allies and partners
know very well that — how much this president respects them. As you know, in regards to Japan, they were just here for the state visit. That U.S.-Japan relationship is — is an important relationship. It’s a deep, enduring — enduring alliance. And — and so, we’re — certainly, we — we share a commitment to democratic values and strong bounds of friendship between our — our peoples. And this was evidenced by, like, as I just said, with the recent — recent state dinner visit.(referring to Japanese PM Fumio Kishida’s state visit
to Washington in mid April) And so, he 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.
As it relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with — with — with India, with — with Japan. And the President, if you just look at the last three years, has certainly — certainly has focused on that diplomatic — those diplomatic relationships.