The Japanese Prime Minister and the president wrapping up that
news conference just moments ago,
expressing concerns about several things,
talking about everything from Ukraine to China.
All right, House correspondent Haley Bull on the scene right
now,
right outside the White House,
with more on that news conference.
The seats are empty behind you,
Haley, which means it is wrapped up and you have
the unpleasant task of now telling us everything that happened
as two leaders discussed just about everything in the world.
And that's exactly right. This is a wide-ranging but very
significant meeting between the United States and Japan of what
President Biden called an unbreakable
alliance. This underscored not only the regional partnership between the
two countries,
but their role on the global stage.
As president, Biden has had to deepen
indo Pacific relationships, U.S. officials here viewing this official visit
as an affirmation of his strategy in this arena.
Notably, Biden saying the two leaders talked about the Middle
East sharing a view when it comes to calling for
a ceasefire and hostage deal.
But Biden also reiterated that the
US support for Israel's defense was ironclad in the face
of significant threats that have come from Iranian recent comments.
Additionally, Biden also calling on Hamas to accept a proposal
for a ceasefire and hostage deal,
but noting in Gaza not enough aid is yet in
there After his tough conversation with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu
last week.
Prime Minister Kishida also bringing up Ukraine as Japan has
sought to support Ukraine and condemn Russia's invasion
ahead of his speech to lawmakers tomorrow as the house
has yet to move forward
that a the two leaders standing by their support for
Ukraine.
President Biden forcefully calling for action from Speaker Johnson on
that front.
Now the relationship here has brought a significant list of
deliverables,
including on space technology, but notably the defense relationship.
Officials doing this as really a new era for that
as they have sought to modernize that relationship including command
and control and folding Japan into the August partnership potentially
to a greater extent. But at the backdrop of all
of this here DALF is of course the political landscape
with President Biden facing his re election effort.
He was pressed notably on the issue of abortion after
the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling reverted rules back to an
1800s era policy that banned nearly all abortions in the
state.
President Biden saying this. Listen,
why didn't everybody holler at once
on the issue of abortion service?
What do you say to the people of Arizona right
now?
We're witnessing a law going place that dates back to
the Civil War.
Elect me. I'm in the 20,
20th century, 21st century. Not back then.
They weren't even a state,
I find. Thank
you.
Thank you all very much.
Thank you.
And now this is of course an area that President
Biden here at the White House and on the campaign
trail has intensely focused on as they view this as
an area where they can pick up more moderate and
independent voters in the wake of the overturn of Roe
V Wade.
And as former President Trump has touted that on the
campaign trail,
though notably today standing by a line that he supports
states rights and thought Arizona had gone too far.
Vice President Harris of course,
expected to be in Arizona later this week.
Now back to the relationship between in the United States
and Japan,
though, which of course this policy here has implications on
the campaign trail as well.
This leads into an important trilateral summit tomorrow that includes
the US,
Japan and the Philippines, which comes in the face of
increased PRC aggression in the South China Sea that the
Philippines has based off.
And Haley, There is a tendency in this country to
believe that everything happens inside the Beltway,
inside the bubble. Today's news conference was an indication that
the whole world is watching what Congress does with regards
to Ukraine and Israel.
I was struck by the words from the Japanese Prime
Minister
when he said Ukraine today is Asia tomorrow,
a reference to their fears that China is watching what
the United States does as well.
Yeah, Dale, that is exactly right.
And that appears to remain the case.
And it's something that is to be closely watched as
Prime Minister Kushida speaks to US lawmakers tomorrow as the
president has urged Congress to act,
specifically the House to act on the national security supplemental
request
that includes billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine as
leaders have stressed the urgency of getting that to them
as they are starting to see battlefield impacts from the
delays. So how the House responds to that,
how they received Prime Minister Kushida's message,
which could potentially include that it remains to be seen
as something that will be closely watched.
And Haley, just want to let you know we are
all envious.
We know it is 74° and sunny in Washington,
DC We saw the ray bands.
So don't tell us about the hardship that you had
to endure in the Rose Garden at the White House.
Haley Beaufort is on the scene at the White House.
Haley, as always, thank you very much.