President Joe Biden’s recent comments calling India, Japan, Russia, and China ‘xenophobic’ nations have drawn criticism from some quarters, but the White House has defended the remarks, emphasizing the US as a country that welcomes immigrants. Biden made the remarks while addressing supporters at a Democratic Party fundraiser, saying that the US is growing economically in part because of immigration. He contrasted the US with the aforementioned countries, which he said are struggling economically due to their ‘xenophobic’ policies. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said that Biden was making a broader point about the importance of welcoming immigrants and that the US has strong relationships with India and Japan. She pointed to Biden’s hosting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a State Visit last year and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit in April as evidence of these strong relationships. Biden has been under attack from his opponents and the Republican Party for his immigration policies, as hundreds and thousands of illegal immigrants enter the United States every month. However, Biden has worked to court broad economic and political relations with countries including Japan and India to counter China and Russia globally. Immigration is a hot topic in the November 5 presidential election in which Biden will face a former president and presumptive candidate from the Republican Party Donald Trump.
White House Defends Biden’s ‘Xenophobic’ Remarks, Emphasizes US as Immigrant-Welcoming Nation
