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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his proposal to admit up to 600,000 Chinese students to U.S. colleges, stating that American universities would “struggle” without their enrollment. The remarks came in response to criticism from conservative groups following his suggestion to include student visas as part of ongoing trade negotiations with China.
Speaking at the White House, Trump emphasized the economic and academic importance of Chinese students, who currently represent the second-largest international student group in the United States. “It’s very important—600,000 students. We’re going to allow their students to come in,” he said, framing the move as a strategic component of broader trade talks.
The proposal sparked backlash from segments of Trump’s political base, with critics citing national security concerns and fears of intellectual property theft. Some argued that admitting such a large number of foreign students could disadvantage U.S. graduates and strain campus resources.
Despite the controversy, Trump maintained that welcoming Chinese students would benefit both the education sector and diplomatic relations. The initiative comes amid efforts to ease tensions following reciprocal tariffs and export restrictions imposed earlier this year.
As of 2024, approximately 270,000 Chinese nationals were enrolled in U.S. institutions. A jump to 600,000 would more than double current figures which is estimated at 277,000 a slight increase from 2024 figures, prompting debate over capacity, oversight, and the role of international education in trade policy.
Excerpts sourced from reporting by Reuters, Al Arabiya, and MSN News.
