Gaffe-sensitive Biden calls an important ally ‘xenophobic’

President Joe Biden called a key ally “xenophobic” and threw the country together with adversaries Russia and China during a behind-closed-doors fundraiser in Washington on Wednesday evening. Biden marked the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by headlining an event at the legendary Mayflower Hotel.

The president boasted about why the U.S. economy was stronger than those of several Asian countries. ‘Why is China stagnating so much economically? Why does Japan have problems? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they are xenophobic,” Biden said. “They don’t want immigrants.”

Asked Thursday aboard Air Force One whether Biden was referring to the excavations in Japan, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not give a direct answer. “I think the broader, broader, broader case that he was trying to make, and that I think most, most leaders and allies around the world understand, is that he tried to – he said that if it goes to, when it comes to When it comes to who we are as a nation, we are a nation of immigrants, that’s in our DNA,” she responded when asked whether the slight was intentional — and whether Biden intended to to apologize.

Jean-Pierre was asked several times whether Biden’s use of “xenophobic” was deplorable. “The word xenophobic is a very pejorative and negative word, especially when used against an ally. Is that what he meant?’ asked Reuters’ Jeff Mason.

A nervous Jean-Pierre replied: “Look, he – I think he – look, the president was very clear, and I think.” “He wasn’t very clear, that’s why we’re asking you,” Mason replied. Jean-Pierre continued to say that Biden was only talking about “who we are as a country.”

“It is important for us to remember that we are a country of immigrants. I explain where he is, what he was talking about and how he did it, and what he was focusing on in those comments.” When asked whether Biden would word it the same way again, Jean-Pierre replied: “That’s up to the president.”

Since the start of his administration, Biden has sought to strengthen ties with Japan – and also South Korea – as key partners in Asia and counter the rise of China. His first trip to the region was to South Korea and then to Japan – and last spring he also visited Japan to participate in the G7 in Hiroshima.

In August, he invited Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to Camp David for a trilateral summit – the first time he used the historic site as a backdrop during his administration. And last month, he hosted Kishida for a state dinner at the White House — a star-studded affair that included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, actor Robert DeNiro and Paul Simon as musical entertainment.

At the same time, Biden has signaled his opposition to Japanese firm Nippon Steel acquiring US Steel, and the White House has hinted that a security investigation would likely kill the deal. US Steel is based in Pittsburgh and could influence the union vote for Biden in a key swing state if the company were sold to the Japanese.

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