(WASHINGTON) Joe Biden told a campaign rally Wednesday that America's rivals China and Russia, but also Washington's allies India and Japan, are “xenophobic” countries.
“Why is China so economically backward? Why Japan has problems? And Russia? And India? Because they are strangers. They don't want immigrants,” the US president said, according to the comments, a transcript of which was only made public on Thursday.
The 81-year-old participated in a Democratic campaign rally dedicated to Asian Americans.
He will run for a second term in November against former Republican President Donald Trump.
These campaign events are not filmed or recorded, but a handful of journalists attend and provide written reports.
“You and others are the reason our economy thrives. why Because we welcome immigrants,” Joe Biden reiterated.
If China and Russia are America's rivals, his comments about Japan and India are surprising.
Joe Biden, since becoming president, has really made a point of strengthening ties with America's allies in Asia, particularly New Delhi and Tokyo.
For example, he welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to a state dinner, a rare sign of diplomatic patronage.
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