Skip to main content

Kamala Harris tells us to buy Christmas presents now, warns about climate change and China - but fails to address catastrophe in Afghanistan in Singapore speech

Kamala Harris discussed Christmas shopping and climate change but failed to mention the current crisis in Afghanistan during her major foreign policy speech on Monday.

Harris, addressing a roundtable of business leaders before her speech, warned that climate change and the pandemic have contributed to supply chain issues, The New York Times reported, and suggested parents should consider getting Christmas presents now. 

'The stories that we are now hearing about the caution that if you want to have Christmas toys for your children, it might now be might be the time to start buying them, because the delay may be many, many months,' she said.

'So across the board, people are experiencing the issue. 

'And, of course, the climate crisis is fueling a lot of this. When we look at the stronger typhoons that have disrupted shipping lanes and sea level rise, which threatens port infrastructure as an example. So these are the many issues that are that are causing these disruptions.'  

The Vice President who kicked off her week-long Asia tour on Sunday, also delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea, warning its actions there amount to 'coercion' and 'intimidation' and affirming that the U.S. will support its allies in the region against Beijing's advances.

But she once again dodged the most weighty international issue of the moment: Afghanistan. Harris has been criticized in the U.S. for her silence on the issue, leaving the remarks to figures such as Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin; and Joe Biden himself.  

Harris also failed to address comments made by Adam Schiff, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee on Monday, that US citizens will remain behind enemy lines because he believes it is unlikely that President Biden will complete the evacuation of of Americans and their allies from Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline. 

Schiff said a full evacuation was 'possible' but 'very unlikely given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated, the number of SIV's, the number of others who are members of the Afghan press, civil society leaders, women leaders.' 

Despite not mentioning the unfolding catastrophe in Kabul during her address in Singapore, Kamala Harris was praised by President Biden during a visit by the WNBA - during which he joked he may need a job soon. 

Elsewhere Fox News host Sean Hannity condemned President Biden on Sunday for creating 'a hostage situation on a massive scale' over his seemingly unmovable August 31 deadline. 

The vice president is pictured holding a roundtable meeting with business leaders - a meeting at which she warned of threats to the supply chain from the pandemic and climate change, and recommended parents consider buying Christmas presents now

The vice president is pictured holding a roundtable meeting with business leaders - a meeting at which she warned of threats to the supply chain from the pandemic and climate change, and recommended parents consider buying Christmas presents now

more videos

C4's The Last Leg pays tribute to comedian Sean Lock who died aged 58

Deadly car crash cost lives of one woman and two children

Rolling Stones fans on iconic Carnaby Street eulogise Charlie Watts

Biden sticks to Aug 31 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan

Netflix doc features life and career of F1 legend Michael Schumacher

Burnt out caravan where little girl perished seen in drone footage

Paramedics receive backlash for viral dance in back of ambulance

Billboard Deputy Director: 'Watts was the band's heart and soul'

USS Frigate explodes after being torpedoed during training

Paul McCartney pays tribute to Charlie Watts after he passes away

Woman is arrested on Spirit flight for smoking a cigarette

Oh deer! Bystanders witness fawn plunge from 50ft waterfall

Harris is pictured speaking during the roundtable discussion with business leaders

Harris is pictured speaking during the roundtable discussion with business leaders 

Adam Schiff warns it's 'unlikely' Biden will rescue all Americans and Afghan allies before August 31 

Mr Schiff claimed that President Biden is 'unlikely' to meet his August 31 deadline to evacuate US citizens and their allies from Afghanistan.

Schiff said a full evacuation was 'possible' but 'very unlikely given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated, the number of SIV's, the number of others who are members of the Afghan press, civil society leaders, women leaders.' 

Speaking outside the US Capitol, Schiff continued: 'I am encouraged to see the numbers of people evacuated, increasing readily to the point where we evacuated 11,000 people in a single day,' Schiff continued.

'Nonetheless, given the logistical difficulties of moving people to the airport and the limited number of workarounds, it's hard for me to see that being fully complete by the end of the month. And I'm certainly of the view that we maintain a military presence as long as it's necessary to get all U.S. persons out and to meet our moral and ethical obligation to our Afghan partners.'

He added: 'Given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated, the number of SIVs, the number of others who are members of the Afghan press, civil society leaders women leaders, it's hard for me to imagine all of that can be accomplished between now and the end of the month,' he said. 

In what was billed as a major foreign policy speech, Vice President Kamala Harrissaid: 'We know that Beijing continues to coerce, to intimidate and to make claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea. Beijing's actions continue to undermine the rules-based order and threaten the sovereignty of nations.'

Harris, who later today will travel on to Vietnam, declared that the U.S. 'stands with our allies and our partners' in the face of threats from China.

The speech sought to cement the U.S. commitment to supporting its allies in an area of growing importance to the Biden administration, which has made countering China's influence globally a centerpiece of its foreign policy. 

But it comes as America's decades-long focus on the Middle East comes to a messy end with the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul. 

As Kamala appeared to dodge the Afghanistan catastrophe during her speech, Adam Schiff, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said it was 'unlikely Joe Biden would be able to evacuate every US citizen and their allies before his August 31 cut-off point. 

Speaking outside the US Capitol, Schiff said: 'I am encouraged to see the numbers of people evacuated, increasing readily to the point where we evacuated 11,000 people in a single day,' Schiff continued.

'Nonetheless, given the logistical difficulties of moving people to the airport and the limited number of workarounds, it's hard for me to see that being fully complete by the end of the month. And I'm certainly of the view that we maintain a military presence as long as it's necessary to get all U.S. persons out and to meet our moral and ethical obligation to our Afghan partners.'

He added: 'Given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated, the number of SIVs, the number of others who are members of the Afghan press, civil society leaders women leaders, it's hard for me to imagine all of that can be accomplished between now and the end of the month,' he said.

Harris underscored this shift, calling the Indo-Pacific 'critically important to our nation's security and prosperity.' 

She said that while the U.S. is focused on closing out its Afghanistan engagement by evacuating as many people as possible, 'it is also imperative that as we address developments in one region, we continue to advance our interests in other regions, including this region.'

Her rebuke to Beijing amounted to her sharpest comments yet on the U.S. foe. 

But Harris was careful to emphasize that the U.S. is seeking greater engagement in the Indo-Pacific region not just to counter China, but to advance an 'optimistic vision that we have for our participation and partnership in the region.' 

In deference to Singapore's staunch neutrality in the U.S.-China dispute, Harris also affirmed that the U.S. isn't looking to 'make anyone choose between countries.'

Speaking in a country that serves as the anchor of the U.S. naval presence in Southeast Asia, Harris emphasized the significance the region holds for U.S. defense. 

She also emphasized the significant U.S. economic ties there, noting that Southeast Asia represents the America's fourth largest export market.

The vice president is on her second foreign trip, after a visit to Guatemala and Mexico in June

The vice president is on her second foreign trip, after a visit to Guatemala and Mexico in June

more videos

C4's The Last Leg pays tribute to comedian Sean Lock who died aged 58

Deadly car crash cost lives of one woman and two children

Rolling Stones fans on iconic Carnaby Street eulogise Charlie Watts

'$40 for water' - Afghans speak of conditions at Kabul airport

Netflix doc features life and career of F1 legend Michael Schumacher

Burnt out caravan where little girl perished seen in drone footage

Paramedics receive backlash for viral dance in back of ambulance

Billboard Deputy Director: 'Watts was the band's heart and soul'

USS Frigate explodes after being torpedoed during training

Paul McCartney pays tribute to Charlie Watts after he passes away

Woman is arrested on Spirit flight for smoking a cigarette

Oh deer! Bystanders witness fawn plunge from 50ft waterfall

Harris's trip will move on on Tuesday to Vietnam. It is designed to show U.S. commitment to the region, in the face of multiple crises - not least in Afghanistan

Harris's trip will move on on Tuesday to Vietnam. It is designed to show U.S. commitment to the region, in the face of multiple crises - not least in Afghanistan

Harris speaks to troops on Monday as she visits the USS Tulsa in Singapore - the first stop of her week-long Asia trip

Harris speaks to troops on Monday as she visits the USS Tulsa in Singapore - the first stop of her week-long Asia trip

Harris speaks to troops on Monday in Singapore, telling them they are carrying out a vital strategic job

Harris speaks to troops on Monday in Singapore, telling them they are carrying out a vital strategic job

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin (pictured) said on Monday that the U.S. had done 'unscrupulous and dishonest things' in Afghanistan and called on the nation to help rebuild

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that the U.S. had done 'unscrupulous and dishonest things' in Afghanistan and called on the nation to help rebuild

Fox News host blasts Joe Biden for capitulating to Taliban

Fox News host Sean Hannity condemned President Biden for creating 'a hostage situation on a massive scale' over plans to withdraw from Afghanistan by August 31 despite warnings that not all Americans will be rescued. 

'Our fellow Americans are behind enemy lines and the hard Taliban deadline is approaching in eight days. A horrific crisis, no end in sight,' he said on his show Monday night.

Hannity says the speed of the rescue efforts is falling short.

'Every American who wants to get home can get home, but then Joe Biden said last week I can't guarantee the outcome,' Hannity said.

'You know it's irresponsible? Abandoning the Air Force base leaving thousands of unarmed fellow citizens helpless to the whims of the radical terrorist group and the Taliban. The only way any American can even make it to the airport is if, and only if, the Taliban allows them and they're not allowing everybody.'

He continued: 'You know what else is irresponsible? Abandoning interpreters and translators and drivers, each one that put their necks on the line to help US troops over the 20-year period of time. Now the French President Emmanuel Macron is now lecturing and accusing him of moral cowardice that reminded Mr. Biden of the collective moral responsibility towards the Afghan men and women, we cannot abandon them.'

On Monday, Harris told sailors aboard a U.S. combat ship at the Changi naval base in Singapore that 'a big part of the history of the 21st century will be written about this very region' and that their work defending the region was pivotal.

'It is in our vital interest to stand united with our allies and our partners in Southeast Asia in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific,' she said.

Harris also met Monday with Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. 

The vice president's office announced a number of agreements out of that meeting aimed at combating cyberthreats, tackling climate change, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and alleviating supply chain issues.

After her speech Tuesday, Harris held a roundtable discussion with business leaders on supply chain issues. 

Later, she planned to travel to Vietnam, where she will meet with top officials Wednesday.

President Joe Biden himself has repeatedly emphasized his focus on China as one of America's main adversaries. 

In recent months, his administration has ramped up outreach to the Indo-Pacific region, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Austin both visiting the area in the spring and summer. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also held a number of virtual meetings with Southeast Asian officials earlier this month.

The chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, however, complicated that message of support to the region, raising questions about the U.S. commitment to its allies. 

While Biden said last week that an indefinite engagement would have benefited 'true strategic competitors' China and Russia, China has seized on the images of violence from the evacuation to slam the U.S. for its engagement there.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that the U.S. had done 'unscrupulous and dishonest things' in Afghanistan and called on the nation to help rebuild.

'The United States is the root cause and the biggest external factor in the Afghan issue,' Wenbin said. 

'It cannot just run away like this.'

But Harris, during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Lee on Monday, said that her presence in the country, combined with the agreements around greater cooperation that the Biden administration has pursued with Indo-Pacific countries, speak 'volumes in terms of the integrity of the relationships that the United States has around the world on many issues.'

While back in the US, Fox News host Sean Hannity condemned President Biden for creating 'a hostage situation on a massive scale' over plans to withdraw from Afghanistan by August 31 despite warnings that not all Americans will be rescued.

President Joe Biden poses with the Seattle Storm after their 2020 WNBA Championship win at the White House

President Joe Biden poses with the Seattle Storm after their 2020 WNBA Championship win at the White House

President Biden speaks with point guard Sue Bird during an event to honor the 2020 WNBA champions Seattle Storm in the East Room of the White House on Monday

President Biden speaks with point guard Sue Bird during an event to honor the 2020 WNBA champions Seattle Storm in the East Room of the White House on Monday

Biden praises Kamala Harris during WNBA visit

President Biden praised Kamala during an event with the WNBA champions Seattle Storm on Monday and joked he may need a job soon, volunteering his services as ball boy.

Biden thanked the four-time championship women's basketball team for being an inspiration to women and girls around the world, saying it was important because 'until they see it, till they watch, it becomes real.'

'That's why we have a female vice president,' he added, saying he expects 'we're going to have some presidents pretty soon.'

Biden was in a jovial, relaxed mood as he praised the basketball team, who stood behind him, wearing face masks as he honored them during an event at the White House. 

He even joked: 'I may need work after this. I'd make a good ball boy.' 

'Our fellow Americans are behind enemy lines and the hard Taliban deadline is approaching in eight days. A horrific crisis, no end in sight,' he said on his show Monday night.

Hannity says the speed of the rescue efforts is falling short.

'Every American who wants to get home can get home, but then Joe Biden said last week I can't guarantee the outcome,' Hannity said.

'You know it's irresponsible? Abandoning the Air Force base leaving thousands of unarmed fellow citizens helpless to the whims of the radical terrorist group and the Taliban. The only way any American can even make it to the airport is if, and only if, the Taliban allows them and they're not allowing everybody.'

He continued: 'You know what else is irresponsible? Abandoning interpreters and translators and drivers, each one that put their necks on the line to help US troops over the 20-year period of time. Now the French President Emmanuel Macron is now lecturing and accusing him of moral cowardice that reminded Mr. Biden of the collective moral responsibility towards the Afghan men and women, we cannot abandon them.'

As criticism was being levelled his way, President Biden was busy praising Kamala during an event with the WNBA champions Seattle Storm on Monday and joked he may need a job soon, volunteering his services as ball boy.

Biden thanked the four-time championship women's basketball team for being an inspiration to women and girls around the world, saying it was important because 'until they see it, till they watch, it becomes real.'

'That's why we have a female vice president,' he added, saying he expects 'we're going to have some presidents pretty soon.'

Biden was in a jovial, relaxed mood as he praised the basketball team, who stood behind him, wearing face masks as he honored them during an event at the White House. The president has been dealing with the Taliban take over of Afghanistan and a revolt by moderate Democrats against his expansive $3.5 trillion budget plan on Capitol Hill.

But he was in a jokey mood with the Seattle Storm, telling them: ''I may need work after this. I'd make a good ball boy.'

'She's the VP NOT the Joker': Meghan McCain slams Kamala Harris for LAUGHING at reporter who asked about Afghanistan crisis 'like she's walking onto a late night show'

In a tweet, McCain compared the vice president's laugh to that of the Joker in the 2019 movie

In a tweet, McCain compared the vice president's laugh to that of the Joker in the 2019 movie

Kamala Harris has been likened to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker by Meghan McCain after she was filmed laughing nervously moments before discussing the Afghanistan crisis.  

'This may be some kind of real issue (like Joaquin Phoenix in the Joker), but she's the Vice President and she's ample time and resources to media train herself out of reacting to every SINGLE crisis like she's walking onto a late night show,' McCain tweeted on Monday, adding: 'She comes off so craven.'

In the 2019 movie The Joker, Joaquin Phoenix's character suffers from uncontrollable laughter, often at inappropriate moments. He was eventually driven mad and became the titular Batman villain.

McCain took aim after the Vice President faced a group of reporters as she prepared to depart for Singapore on Friday amidst the growing chaos in Afghanistan.

Harris began to nervously laugh as a reporter started to ask her an urgent question, which she cut off, but assumed was about Afghanistan.

'Hold on, hold on, hold on,' Harris said before the reporter could finish. 

'Slow down, everybody,' she said after a big laugh.  

'And in particular, high priority is making sure that we safely evacuate American citizens, Afghans who worked with us, Afghans at risk, including women and children, and that is one of our highest if not the highest priority right now.'

'And it's a big area of focus for me in the past days and weeks, and will continue to be,' she added.

A video of the exchange has gone viral on social media, with many claiming her laugh was inappropriate in light of the dangerous situation in the country.  

more videos

C4's The Last Leg pays tribute to comedian Sean Lock who died aged 58

Deadly car crash cost lives of one woman and two children

Rolling Stones fans on iconic Carnaby Street eulogise Charlie Watts

'$40 for water' - Afghans speak of conditions at Kabul airport

Netflix doc features life and career of F1 legend Michael Schumacher

Burnt out caravan where little girl perished seen in drone footage

Paramedics receive backlash for viral dance in back of ambulance

Billboard Deputy Director: 'Watts was the band's heart and soul'

USS Frigate explodes after being torpedoed during training

Paul McCartney pays tribute to Charlie Watts after he passes away

Woman is arrested on Spirit flight for smoking a cigarette

Oh deer! Bystanders witness fawn plunge from 50ft waterfall

Kamala Harris nervously laughed and cut off a reporter, before saying that Afghanistan was a priority issueThe Vice President boarded a flight to Singapore. She will visit Southeast Asia to meet with leaders

Kamala Harris nervously laughed and cut off a reporter, before saying that Afghanistan was a priority issue, before she boarded a flight to Singapore 

 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o