Washington: In a move that caught many by surprise, President Joe Biden described its allies Japan and India as xenophobic, grouping them with China and Russia for their supposed economic struggles tied to their restrictive immigration policies.
These comments, made during a campaign fundraiser to mark the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, were not recorded but relayed by attendees.
Biden attributed the economic vitality of the United States to its welcoming stance toward immigrants, suggesting that the lack of similar openness in Japan, India, China, and Russia has hindered their economic growth. “They’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong,” Biden stated, highlighting the contrast with the U.S. approach.
The remarks are particularly striking given the recent efforts by Biden’s administration to bolster relations with Japan and India, both key strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. president had hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for state visits, praising both nations for shared democratic values and commitments.
Japan, part of the G7, has the lowest level of migration among member countries, with less than 2% of its population being immigrants. This is a stark contrast to the 14% in the U.S. Although Japan has been gradually opening its doors to more foreigners to offset its aging population, its immigration rates remain comparatively low.
India, now the world’s most populous nation, recently passed a controversial citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for non-Muslim immigrants from neighboring countries, a move that has sparked significant debate and scrutiny.
The White House, represented by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, attempted to soften the impact of Biden’s statements, emphasizing the U.S.’s identity as a nation of immigrants and affirming the administration’s respect and valuation of its alliances with Japan and India.
As of now, there has been no official response from the governments of Japan or India regarding Biden’s comments.
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