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Q So, the — the President last night described Japan as “xenophobic” along with China and Russia. Was that intentional? And does — does the President want to apologize to Japan?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, look, 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’s — 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 — of immigrants. That is in our DNA.
And — and so — and you’ve heard the President say this, and you’ve heard us say it more as an administration. It’s in — it makes us better. We are stronger for it because of the fact that in our DNA we are a nation of immigrants. And I think that’s probably very important to note as well. And that’s what he was —
Q The President —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: — the broader sense he was trying to make.
…
Q I want to try one more time on —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.
Q — on Japan.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.
Q You know, he made the comments last night lumping them in with China and Russia, calling them “xenophobic.” He’s opposed this Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel. The U.S. has initiated a national security review of that transaction. It’s something that’s typically reserved for U.S. adversaries.
Is there a concern that he is pushing a key U.S. ally in a region and a key bulwark against China away from the U.S.? Is there concern that that relationship is being harmed by these off-the-cuff remarks?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, a couple of things. I mean, he was making a broader point, as I was saying earlier, when I was answering Karen’s question about this country. And our allies and partners know very well that — how much this president respects them. As you know, in regards to Japan, they were just here for the state visit. That U.S.-Japan relationship is — is an important relationship. It’s a deep, enduring — enduring alliance.
And — and so, we’re — certainly, we — we share a commitment to democratic values and strong bounds of friendship between our — our peoples. And this was evidenced by, like, as I just said, with the recent — recent state dinner visit.
And so, he was making a more broad comment, speaking about this country and speaking about how important it is to be a country of immigrants and how it makes our country stronger. And so, that’s what he was talking about.
As it relates to our relationship with our allies, that continues. Obviously, we have a strong relationship with — with — with India, with — with Japan. And the President, if you just look at the last three years, has certainly — certainly has focused on that diplomatic — those diplomatic relationships.
Q And yet, Karine —
Q Karine —
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah.
Q — the word “xenophobic” is a very pejorative and negative word, particularly to use against an ally. Is that what he meant?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look, he — I think he was — I think — look, the President was very clear. And I think — I —
Q He wasn’t very clear.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well — well —
Q I mean, that’s why we’re asking you.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Well, no, I — well, look, here’s what I’m saying. He was talking about what — who we are as a country. Right? He was talking about the importance about being in a country of immigrants, especially as you see the attacks that we have seen very recently, in the last couple of years, on — those attacks on immigrants, in particular.
And so, it is important for us to remember that we are a country of immigrants. I’m explaining where he’s — what he — what he was talking about and how he was — what he was focusing on in those comments: country of immigrants, it makes us stronger, it is important to let — to — to be very clear about that.
And the President is always going to be really clear on — on — on speaking to, you know, issues that matter to the American people. We are a country of immigrants. That matters. And we’ve seen these attacks. And so, the — the President is never going to shy away from that.
Go ahead, Michael.
Q Karine, would he phrase it again the same way? Would he phrase it again the same way?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: You know, that is up to the President. You know, he is — he is — he is the President. Whatever — however he sees a message — wanting to share a message to the American people, he will do so. And so, I can’t speak to — I can’t speak to that.
But go ahead, Michael.
Q The U.S. frequently condemns crackdown on — crackdowns on protests in other countries, whether it’s China, Iran, Hong Kong. Can you help us understand why you see those crackdowns differently than what is happening here in the U.S. where the police are arresting protestors?
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: You said that we have cracked down on protests?
Q No, no. The U.S. has condemned other countries.
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: You know, I — look, I — we have seen other countries protests, and we’ve always said it is the right for — for citizens to protest. I mean, I — you know, I think — I don’t — I don’t think that we have gone as far. I would have to see the example of what you’re — you’re using in asking me this question.
What I can speak to is what we’ve been very consistent about. Right? You heard the President said it is our right to peacefully assemble. It is a right — it is part of what makes us a country of freedom. Right? We are — you know, which is really important. But it has to be peaceful. It has to be peaceful. It has to be within the law.
And we will continue to say that Americans have the right to peacefully protest. Violence is not protected. We are not an authoritarian nation. That’s what you heard from the President. And so, as long as it’s done in a peaceful way within the law, we’re always going to support that.
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Source: The White House
Speaker: Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary
Format: Press Briefing
China Policy Research 