Gaffe-prone Biden calls a key ally 'xenophobic'
- President Joe Biden called a key ally ‘xenophobic’ at a closed door fundraiser
- Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn’t say if he would apologize
- READ MORE: Biden finally condemns unruly college protests
President Joe Biden called a key ally ‘xenophobic’ and lopped the country in with adversaries Russia and China during a closed door fundraiser in Washington Wednesday night.
Biden marked the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by headlining an event at the storied Mayflower Hotel.
The president boasted about why the U.S. economy was stronger than several Asian nations.
‘Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic,’ Biden said. ‘They don’t want immigrants.’
Asked Thursday on Board Air Force One if Biden meant the dig at Japan, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn’t give a direct answer.
President Joe Biden said at a closed door fundraiser Wednesday night to mark Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month that the key ally of Japan is ‘xenophobic.’ Biden is photographed Thursday departing for North Carolina
Last month the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) for an official state dinner. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn’t say if President Joe Biden (left) would apologize for the slight to the Japanese
‘I think the broader, the broader, the broader case that he was trying to make, which I think most, most leaders and allies across the globe understand, is he was trying – he was saying that when it comes to, when it comes to, when it comes to who we are as a nation, we are a nation of immigrants, that is in our DNA,’ she answered when asked if the slight was intentional – and if Biden planned to apologize.
Jean-Pierre was asked several more ways if Biden’s use of ‘xenophobic’ was regrettable.
‘The word xenophobic is a very pejorative and negative word, particularly to use against an ally. Is that what he meant?’ Reuters’ Jeff Mason asked.
A flustered Jean-Pierre responded, ‘Look he – I think he – look, the president was very clear and I think.’
‘He wasn’t very clear, that is why we’re asking you,’ Mason responded.
Jean-Pierre continued to say that Biden was merely talking about ‘who we are as a country.’
‘It is important for us to remember that we are a country of immigrants. I’m explaining where he’s, what he was talking about and how he, and what he was focusing on in those comments.’
When asked if Biden would phrase it again the same way, Jean-Pierre answered, ‘that is up to the president.’
Since the start of his administration Biden has tried to strengthen ties with Japan – and also South Korea – as key partners in Asia and to combat the rise of China.
His first trip to the region was to South Korea and then on to Japan – and he also visited Japan last spring to take part 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 historical locale for a backdrop during his administration.
And last month he hosted Kishida for a White House state dinner – a star-studded12101371 affair with Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, actor Robert DeNiro and Paul Simon as the musical entertainment.
At the same time, Biden has signaled he opposes the Japanese firm Nippon Steel buying U.S. Steel and the White House has hinted that a security review would likely kill the deal.
U.S. Steel is based in Pittsburgh and could impact the union vote for Biden in a key swing state if the company was sold to the Japanese.
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