ウィスパリング同時通訳研究会コミュのPress Secretary Jen Psaki White House Press Conference Transcript September 20

Jen Psaki: (01:36)
Hi everyone. Good morning, or good afternoon. Okay, two items for all of you at the top. Today, the Biden administration is launching House America, a new initiative for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness that will engage State and local leaders to set and achieve ambitious goals for reducing homelessness in America. Homelessness was on the rise before the pandemic and the last couple of years have just exacerbated the problem. On any given night, more than half a million Americans during the pandemic without the safety and protection of a home. Thanks to the President’s American rescue plan and Congress’s, everybody’s American rescue plan, communities now have historic housing resources to help more Americans obtain the safety of a stable home.
(02:19)
Including 70,000 emergency housing vouchers, $5 billion in home grants, and significant investments to preserve and protect housing on tribal lands. In addition, communities have $350 billion in State and local fiscal recovery funds from the Department of Treasury to support many needs, including homelessness and housing instability. So today, [inaudible 00:02:39] asking State and tribal and local leaders to work collaboratively with them to use these ARP funds and other existing federal, State and local resources to rapidly reduce homelessness in their communities and add new units of affordable and supportive housing into the development pipeline by the end of 2022.
(02:57)
The initiative will promote the use of housing first, the proven theory that the best way to stabilize the life of someone experiencing homelessness is to ensure that they have a home first without preconditions and so, we are moving forward with that. Also, wanted to note that tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Small Businesses set to consider the nomination of Dillaware Syed for deputy administer as administrator for the Small Business Administration. He’s well qualified to serve as deputy administrator of the SBA, which has been critical in providing relief to small businesses in the midst of the pandemic. He’s lived the American dream as an immigrant and as CEO of a small startup that has been helping small businesses continue to create jobs.
(03:39)
He’s the endorsement of more than 200 individuals and groups, and yet his confirmation is being held up in an unprecedented way and for no good reason. These members have refused to show up at a committee meetings, meaning quorum cannot be reached and a vote cannot be held on his nomination. And by refusing to show up a committee meetings, they are not just blocking his vote, but also slowing help to American small business owners and workers who are trying to build back the pandemic. So we wanted to call out that hearing that will happen tomorrow. Darlene, why don’t you kick us off?

Darlene : (04:10)Thanks Jen. A couple of questions for you. The UN Secretary General spoke to the AEP over the weekend and in the interview, he called on the U.S. and China to repair a relationship that he says is “completely dysfunctional.” He warned of a potential new cold war and said the U.S. and China need to be collaborating more on COVID and other global challenges. So how would you respond to the UN Secretary General on his call for the U.S. and China to be more friendly, I suppose?

Jen Psaki: (04:45)
Well, first I would say the President’s view and this administration’s view is that our relationship with China is one, not of conflict, but of competition. And so, we wouldn’t agree with the characterization of the relationship. As I would note, in the readout of the President’s call with President Xi just last week, a 90 minute call that covered an extensive list of topics, it was a conversation that was candid, but it was certainly not elevated. And we recognize that China’s a country that while we may take issue with some means they engage in the world, we also have areas we will want to continue to work together.
(05:23)
And that is certainly many of the topics that were raised by the Secretary General. The President obviously has a meeting with him later this evening. I would also note that tomorrow, the President will deliver a speech, as you all know at the UN General Assembly, and he will make absolutely clear that he is not looking to pursue a new cold war with any country in the world. We will continue to pursue our interests. We will continue to lift up global priorities, but that is not the objective or the policy of the United States

Darlene : (05:52)Another China related question. Can you say how concerned the administration is about the stability of China’s real estate sector given the issues with China [inaudible 00:06:01]? And is it the administration’s view that the People’s Bank of China can keep those issues from spilling over into other sectors and possibly affecting U.S. interests?
Jen Psaki: (06:13)Well, let me first note that this is a company based in China whose activities are overwhelmingly centered in China. That being said, we always are monitoring global markets, obviously from the Department of Treasury primarily, including the assessment of any risk to the U.S. economy, and stand prepared to respond appropriately if needed. But monitoring what happened primarily from the Department of Treasury and our Secretary of Treasury, of course.

Darlene : (06:36)And just one more really quickly. Is there any reaction from the white house to the conviction earlier today of the man who inspired Hotel Rwanda? He was a U.S. resident, he was a recipient of the Presidential Metal of Freedom.
Jen Psaki: (06:49)I understand, and I would like to get you a more comprehensive reaction to it. I know this is a question that others will have in the room, so let me venture to do that after the briefing. Go ahead.
Speaker 1: (06:57)What does the President want to tell President Macron about the submarine deal?
Jen Psaki: (07:02)Well, first I think it has been noted in some reports, so let me just confirm this, I guess. The President will have a call, we’re still working on the scheduling of it with President Macron in the coming days. And what I expect the President will do on that call is reaffirm our commitment to working with one of our oldest and closest partners on a range of challenges that the global community is facing. And he of course, will discuss recent developments and our ongoing work together on a range of issues. Certainly, our shared interest in the Indo-Pacific, but also a range of global challenges and issues.
(07:40)
I would also note that the President spoke in his remarks last week, acknowledged in his remarks, I should say, he acknowledged the France has substantial Indo-Pacific presence and is a key partner and ally and strengthening security and prosperity. But most importantly, we continue to look forward to our close alliance with France. One of our strongest partnerships as we work to address a range of issues in the world.

Speaker 1: (08:02)And you have no plans to abandon the submarine deal, do you?
Jen Psaki: (08:06)No, we do not.
Speaker 1: (08:07)And secondly, back in July, you opted not to lift the travel restrictions on international visitors. What’s changed between then and now?
Jen Psaki: (08:16)Well, back in July, we also announced that there were a series of working groups that were both inter-agency and working with a range of countries and partners in the world to determine what the most equitable and clear policies should be moving forward to resume broader international travel. And the older rules were not equitable in our view, and they were a bit confusing. And so, this was an effort to pursue that, as was announced in a call earlier today, but I can reaffirm some of the specifics that were announced.
(08:49)
Starting in November, we will be implementing, I should say, in early November, we’ll be putting in place strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from passengers flying international into the United States by requiring that adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States be fully vaccinated. Obviously, this is the conclusion of a policy process on that particular issue, an important one facing many people around the world.
Speaker 1: (09:11)Thank you.
Jen Psaki: (09:11)Go ahead.
Speaker 2: (09:11)Hey Jen, a few quick questions on COVID …
Jen Psaki: (09:13)Sure.
Speaker 2: (09:13)… and then I have a foreign policy question for you. Now that the FDA’s vaccine advisers have recommended boosters for people 65 and up, how soon do you expect President Biden to get this booster shot and will he do so on camera?

Jen Psaki: (09:26)He will do so and he will do so on camera. I don’t have a date for you exactly. It’s important to note just to take a slight step back that there are still a couple of additional steps in the process. Well, I know we view the news on Friday as an important step forward in protecting more people, saving more lives. The steps now is that ACIP is planning to meet based on their recommendation. We’re of course, prepared to operationalize on the plan. And that includes having the President get his booster shot as well.
Speaker 2: (09:54)And is the President still being tested for COVID regularly and if so, how often?
Jen Psaki: (09:58)He is tested regularly. He was tested last week and his test was negative, but he is tested regularly, yes.
Speaker 2: (10:04)Just lastly, on this front, has he gotten, or does he plan to get the flu shot?
Jen Psaki: (10:09)I will talk to his doctor. I got a flu shot last week. They’re broadly available, but I will check and see if we have an answer to that question.
Speaker 2: (10:16)And just on the foreign policy front with the UN visit tomorrow. President Biden came into office declaring that America is back and vowing to reinvigorate U.S. alliances, but in recent weeks we’ve seen European allies be unsettled by the execution of the U.S.’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. The administration has admitted to mistakenly killing 10 civilians in this drone strike. And now the U.S.’ oldest ally, France has recalled its ambassador after being blindsided by this submarine deal with Australia. So my question to you is how is the President going to restore U.S. credibility at the UN this week after all of that?

Jen Psaki: (10:50)
Well, why don’t I give you a preview a bit of what you can hear the President talk about tomorrow in his remarks. And obviously, as you know, he’ll have a number of bilateral meetings tomorrow as well as later this week. And to the degree, you all have questions, I’m happy to speak to those as well. But what you’ll hear him talk about tomorrow is the President’s went to layout the case for why the next decade will determine our future, not just for the United States, but for the global community. And he will talk, and this will be a central part of his remarks about the importance of reestablishing our alliances after the last several years.
(11:20)
I also think it’s important to note that reestablishing alliances doesn’t mean that you won’t have disagreements, or you won’t have disagreements about how to approach any particular issue in the world. That is not the bar for having an alliance and important partnership, that has never been and it is not currently, with the goal, of course, of increasing the prospect of security and diminishing the prospect of war. He’ll also make clear that for many of the greatest concerns we have, they can not be solved or even addressed through the force of arms, whether that is preparing for the next pandemic, something the United States continues to be the global leader on providing more vaccines to the world than every other country combined.
(12:01)
Addressing the threat of climate change as we all look ahead to cop 26, leveling the economic playing field, fighting for democracy at home and abroad and against threats ranging from cybersecurity to emerging technologies and terrorism. Finally, he will also reaffirm that the United States is not turning inward including as we look to the decision the United States made, the President made to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. Anyone who reads that in that way is not reading it accurately. He will talk about his objective of turning our focus and our resources to the priorities and regions of the world that are the most consequential.

Speaker 2: (12:38)But just given what’s happened in recent weeks and some of the criticism that he’s faced in many of the capitals of the allies whose partnerships he vowed to reinvigorate, does he believe there’s work to be done to restore that credibility or to address the criticism that …
Jen Psaki: (12:52)Well tell me which country is telling you that we don’t have credibility in the world?
Speaker 2: (12:56)I didn’t say countries are saying there’s no credibility, but there has been criticism in foreign capitals in recent weeks, including with many of those partners …
Speaker 3: (13:03)… criticism in foreign capitals in recent weeks, including with many of those partners who the president said he was going to reinvigorate these alliances with. So how does he square what is-
Jen Psaki: (13:08)Well, the reason I asked that question is because I think it’s important to note that criticism of a decision is different from criticism of the credibility and leadership of the United States, broadly speaking. And if you look back through the course of the last several decades, prior to the last administration, there are points of disagreement, including when we have disagreed with the decisions other countries are making, points when countries have disagreed with the decisions we’re making.
(13:34)
But the larger point here, and what you’ll hear the president talk about tomorrow, is that we are committed to those alliances. And that always requires work, from every president, from every global leader. And his commitment is to make sure we are directing our energy, our resources, our diplomacy, and our efforts on the biggest challenges we’re facing in the world. And to him, that is the threat of climate, the threat of democracy, the importance of leveling the economic playing field, addressing and preparing for the next pandemic. Those are all issues that we will continue to work with our partners on, including those who may disagree with decisions we’ve made about a variety of issues. Go ahead, David.

David: (14:11)All right. Back on the submarine deal. So in the conversation with the President Macron, is it President Biden’s view that the United States is responsible in any way for some kind of reparation, some kind of deal that will make up for part of the economic loss and also give a greater sense of a working partnership? Or is it his view that it’s really up to Australia to make up any economic laws out of this, if there’s any loss to be made up at all?
Jen Psaki: (14:45)Well, I know from a range of reporting, including perhaps yours, that there were a couple hundred jobs that they anticipate being lost in France, and certainly that is a factor for them domestically. We understand that. But I think you can expect the President’s call will be more about reaffirming our commitment, the United States’s commitment to our Alliance, to our partnership, and to working together on a range of issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, that that will be the broad focus of the call.
David: (15:14)One more. When you were in the Obama Administration, we often talked about the need to reduce the amount of highly enriched uranium that’s moving around the world. President Obama ran a number of summits, you’ll recall, that were aimed at converting reactors from HEU to LEU. So here we are helping Australia, a very good player, a well-known non-proliferation advocate, by having them build HEU, or building it for them. Without any reference to problems with Australia, what message does that send to the rest of the world about how committed we are on this?

Jen Psaki: (15:55)Well, first, David, the President’s position and commitment to nonproliferation has not changed. We’re committed to renewing American leadership in nonproliferation and addressing the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons. This, in our view, is an exceptional case, not a precedent setting case. As many of you know and have followed this closely, we’re not talking about nuclear armed submarines. I know you’re asking me about enriched uranium, but it’s important for people to understand that as well. These are conventionally armed submarines that are powered by nuclear reactors. There’s also an 18 month process that we are undergoing on the implementation of this. But again, this was a decision made working with a country that has a long history, the Australia, as does the United Kingdom, as the United States of being steadfast and support for nuclear nonproliferation and for the regime and its cornerstone, the NPT, and we all are committed to complying with our respective nonproliferation obligations as we implement over the next 18 months. Go ahead.
Speaker 4: (16:58)Thanks, Jen. Following up on France. First of all, you said you expect a call in the next few days. Have the French actually committed to a call?
Jen Psaki: (17:05)Yes. We’re an active conversation about a call.
Speaker 4: (17:07)I want to make sure you weren’t being sent a voicemail or anything like that.
Jen Psaki: (17:09)No, I don’t think so.
Speaker 4: (17:11)Following up on the drone strike last week that the Pentagon now admits was a tragic mistake, what was the President’s response when he learned about that?
Jen Psaki: (17:20)Well, the President was briefed on Friday morning about the report that was going to be released and put out. I would say first, the President’s view, and all of our view, is that the loss of any civilian life is a tragedy, as was made clear in the comments by the Secretary of Defense, by General McKenzie. This was done in error. And clearly, the investigation that will continue as something the President broadly supports. So as a human being, as a President, as somebody who has overseen loss in a variety of scenarios, both as a leader and personally, his reaction is it’s a tragedy and every loss is a tragedy and he supports the effort to move this forward as quickly as possible and to have a thorough investigation.
Speaker 4: (18:10)You mentioned it’s an ongoing investigation. Should it be anticipated that someone would be fired, demoted, not promoted, passed over, and held accountable within the military ranks for this?
Jen Psaki: (18:22)I think what’s important is that the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman and General McKenzie came forward and made very clear that they wanted to see this move forward quickly. They wanted to be as transparent as possible. They wanted to learn from what had happened. It’s also important to note what the circumstances were here, in when this strike was made. This was a scenario where there were direct threats from ISISK against our troops who were on the ground in Afghanistan. And that was the scenario where the strike was made. Obviously, it was done in error, and obviously there was a horrific tragedy that happened, but I’m not going to predict what the impact will be.
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