Key Points:
- Trump says reducing foreign student numbers, especially from China, would “destroy” U.S. colleges and universities.
- The former president rejects calls from allies to limit Chinese student visas, calling the practice “good for our system.”
- Critics accuse Trump of inconsistency, citing earlier visa crackdowns and security concerns.
Trump Backs Chinese Enrollment, Citing Economic and Educational Benefits
Former President Donald Trump has defended the continued enrollment of Chinese students at U.S. universities, arguing that foreign students are essential to sustaining America’s higher education system and overall economy. In a Fox News interview on Monday, Trump dismissed concerns raised by conservative commentators who claimed Chinese students pose national security risks.
“I actually think it’s good to have outside countries,” Trump said, when asked about Chinese enrollment. Fox anchor Laura Ingraham countered by warning that Chinese nationals “spy on us” and “steal our intellectual property.” Trump replied, “I’m not so sure,” signaling a more moderate stance.
Trump argued that slashing the number of international students would cripple universities financially. “You don’t want to cut half of the students from all over the world — destroy our entire university and college system — I don’t want to do that,” he said. He noted that foreign students, who typically pay higher tuition rates, contribute billions of dollars annually to U.S. education and local economies.
The former president emphasized that institutions such as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and smaller regional schools would suffer most if international student numbers were reduced. “If we were to cut that in half, you would have half the colleges in the United States go out of business,” Trump warned.
Balancing Security, Diplomacy, and Economics
Trump’s comments come amid ongoing debate over Chinese influence and espionage concerns in U.S. academia. During his administration, Trump initially vowed to “aggressively revoke” Chinese student visas before reversing course. He later defended allowing 600,000 Chinese students to study in the U.S. over two years, saying it was vital to maintaining relations with Beijing.
“I think it’s very insulting to a country when you say you’re not going to take your students,” Trump told The Daily Caller, citing his “good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He also framed the decision as a practical measure to protect smaller universities that rely heavily on international enrollment.
According to the Institute of International Education, Chinese students make up about one in four international students in the U.S. — roughly 270,000 as of 2024, down from a peak of 372,000 before the pandemic. China was the top source of international students for 15 years until it was recently overtaken by India.
Trump’s latest stance marks a shift from his administration’s earlier hardline measures, including expanded vetting procedures and social media monitoring for visa applicants. Despite criticism from some of his political allies, Trump maintains that welcoming international students is both a strategic and economic necessity.
“We have a massive system of colleges and universities,” he said. “I want to see our school system thrive.”