Biden bashes Japan's border restrictions, says immigrants make America strong

During a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, President Joe Biden appeared to be critical of one of the United States’ close allies, saying that Japan is “xenophobic.”

The remarks from Biden also saw him group Japan with Russia and China when talking about how their economies are performing compared to those that embrace immigration.

“You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said, according to reporters at the fundraiser with Asian American and Pacific Islander supporters, CNN reported. “The reason – look, think about it. Why is China stalling so bad economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia?”

“Because they’re xenophobic,” Biden continued. “They don’t want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.”

The remarks from Biden come after he boasted about the US-Japan alliance during a state dinner when he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“And today, without question, our alliance is literally stronger than it has ever been,” Biden said during the dinner, adding that both countries share “the same values, the same commitment to democracy and freedom to dignity.”

However, in March, Biden seemed to offer similar opinions on Japan, Russia, and China while speaking with a Spanish-language radio station .

“The Japanese, the Chinese, they’re xenophobic, they don’t want any – the Russians, they don’t want to have people, other than Russians, Chinese, or Japanese,” Biden said in the interview.

The comments also come as Biden continues to struggle with his own country’s immigration, as many are calling for stricter policy at the US-Mexico border .