ADVERTISEMENT
US President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia.
The remarks made at a campaign fundraising event Wednesday evening came just three weeks after the White House hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
During the lavish official visit, the two leaders celebrated what Biden called an “unbreakable alliance,” particularly on global security matters.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by the White House last summer.
The comment is the latest in a long list of gaffes by Biden, who is 81 years old.
His Republican rival Donald Trump has aired a similar amount of public blunders and scandalous comments, including mocking disabled people, appearing to get his own wife's name wrong and suggesting injecting bleach could fight COVID.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Freeland, Mich., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Paul Sancya/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved
At a hotel fundraiser where the donor audience was largely Asian American, Biden said the upcoming US election was about “freedom, America and democracy”.
He said the country's economy was thriving “because of you and many others”.
“Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said. “Look, think about it. Why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants.”
“Immigrants are what makes us strong," the US leader added. "Not a joke. That’s not hyperbole, because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and want to contribute.”
Japan and India critical US allies
Japan and India are critical US allies and vital partners in the Indo-Pacific.
There was no immediate reaction from either the Japanese or Indian governments.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Biden was making a broader point about the US posture on immigration.
“Our allies and partners know well in tangible ways how President Biden values them, their friendship, their cooperation and the capabilities that they bring across the spectrum on a range of issues, not just security related,” Kirby said on Thursday morning when asked about Biden's “xenophobic” remark.
“They understand how much he completely and utterly values the idea of alliances and partnerships,” he added.
Biden’s comments came at the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
ADVERTISEMENT
NATO has issued a sharp warning over "hostile" Russian activity across Europe.
In a statement released on Thursday, the 32-member military alliance said it was "deeply concerned about recent malign activities" by Moscow, which it called a threat to Western security.
It pointed to "disinformation, sabotage, acts of violence, cyber and electronic interference... and other hybrid operations."
Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the UK have all been affected, according to NATO.
The US-led military alliance called these incidents "part of an intensifying campaign of activities which Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, including on alliance territory and through proxies."
"We support and stand in solidarity with the affected allies," NATO said in its statement, condemning "Russia's behaviour".
FILE - Tanks move during the Union Courage-2022 Russia-Belarus military drills at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Belarus, Feb. 19, 2022.Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved
"We will continue to boost our resilience and to apply and enhance the tools at our disposal to counter and contest Russian hybrid actions and will ensure that the alliance and allies are prepared to deter and defend against hybrid actions or attacks."
President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has sparked the worst tensions between Russia and the West in recent history, with most European capitals and Washington firmly supporting Kyiv.
The fallout has led to fiery rhetoric and forms of hybrid war, which blend conventional military force with unconventional economic, political and social activities.
Speaking exclusively to Euronews in September, Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned of Moscow sending migrants across their 300-kilometre-long border as a form of hybrid attack.
Baltic countries have warned repeatedly that Moscow has been intentionally jamming GPS navigation systems in their region, causing major disruption in air travel.
NATO vowed in its Thursday statement member states would not be deterred from providing Ukraine with much-needed military and financial assistance as it battles the Russian army.
The alliances's statement comes amid a spike in charges and investigations into individuals allegedly linked to Moscow.
A German army captain admitted to spying for Russia and leaking state secrets at a court in the western city of Dusseldorf in April. Meanwhile, a British man was charged with working for the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
In late April, a Russian citizen was arrested for the murder of two Ukrainians at a shopping centre in the village of Murnau in Upper Bavaria. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities stating that a political motive for the killing "cannot be ruled out at this stage".
These cases are the tip of the iceberg, however.
The European Parliament, in March, said it was "looking into" claims MEPs were paid to spread Russian propaganda.
European lawmakers issued a resolution firmly denouncing such efforts in April, following several revelations of what the Parliament called "Kremlin-backed attempts to interfere with and undermine European democratic processes."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Any such tactics, they say, must have consequences," it said in a statement published on 25 April.
Bayer Leverkusen will be crowned the new champions of Germany after an incredibly impressive season.
ADVERTISEMENT
With an impressive performance throughout the season, Bayer Leverkusen, led by Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, sealed their championship title with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen at home. Their unbeaten run remains intact, with just three matches left to play.
For Bayern Munich, this marks the end of an era as their dominance in German football ends after winning eleven back-to-back titles. Coach Thomas Tuchel's departure adds to the anticipation of changes in Munich as they aim to regroup and bounce back next year.
Alonso's success has propelled him into the spotlight as one of Europe's most sought-after managers. Despite tempting offers from Bayern and Liverpool, he has committed to remaining with Leverkusen for at least another season.
While the Bundesliga league title is secured, Bayer Leverkusen still has unfinished business to attend to. They are contenders in the German Cup final and the Europa League semi-finals, raising the possibility of an unprecedented treble achievement.