China and Russia, rivals of the United States, but also India and Japan, allies of Washington, are “xenophobic” countries, said Joe Biden during a campaign meeting on Wednesday.
“Why is China stalling so economically? Why is Japan having problems? And Russia? And India? Because they are xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants,” the American president said, according to remarks the transcription of which was only made public on Thursday.
The 81-year-old Democrat was participating in a campaign rally dedicated to Asian Americans.
He will seek a second term in November, facing former Republican President Donald Trump.
These campaign events are neither filmed nor recorded, but a handful of journalists attend and provide a written report.
“One of the reasons our economy is growing is because of you and others. For what ? Because we welcome immigrants,” Joe Biden said again.
If China and Russia are rivals of the United States, his comments on Japan and India are surprising.
Joe Biden has in fact made a point, since becoming president, of strengthening ties with America’s allies in Asia, and in particular with New Delhi and Tokyo.
For example, he received Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for state dinners, a rare mark of diplomatic favor.
“The point of view that the president was defending, and I think people around the world are aware of this, is that the United States is a country of immigrants, it’s in our DNA,” explained the National Security Council spokesman John Kirby Thursday in a press interview.
“Our allies know very well how much the president respects them, how much he attaches importance to their friendship, to their contributions,” he added.